Vajrabhairava

paint on textile; silk surround
Tibet, early 19th cent.
size: 79 x 55 cm.

A thangka of Vajrabhairava, the Dharmapala-version of Yamantaka, the conqueror of Yama, the god of Death. He is the special protector of the Gelugpa-tradition, and the city of Lhasa.
Above, in the middle, dances the Dakini with the head of a snowlion, Simhavaktra. At the left the Mahasiddha Tilopa, with two Dalai Lamas, and right Atisha, with two Panchen Lamas.
Below in the middle a wonderful offering of the Five Senses, in a human scull, flanked by two forms of Yama, the god of Death: Raktayamari, with red skin, and a blue-skinned version with six arms.