Mahakala Socks
Description: Mahayana Buddhism, and all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, rely on Mahakala as guardian deity. He is depicted in a number of variations, each with distinctly different qualities and aspects. Mahakala is almost always depicted with a crown of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of the five kleśās (negative afflictions) into the five wisdoms. (From Wiki)
Description: Mahakala is one of the most popular guardians in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. This tangka, one of the earliest and grandest of this subject was created in the 15th century. Here he tramples a corpse while wielding a flaying knife and a blood-filled skull cup, signifying the destruction of impediments to enlightenment. In the crooks of his elbows, he supports a gandi gong, a symbol of his vow to protect the community of monks (sangha). His principal companions, Palden Remati and Palden Lhamo, appear to his left, and Legden Nagpo and Bhutadamara are at his right. At lower left is Brahmarupa blowing a thighbone trumpet. He is especially revered by the Sakya order, which commissioned this work.
Description: The ferocious aspect of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Mahakala is shown in a flaming aureole, his six hands holding his horrific ritual implements. Attending Mahakala are four yaksha “ministers” in red and blue, and below they ride a bear and a horse and flank the protector goddess Palden Lhamo on her donkey. The celestial Buddha Amitabha presides, flanked by mahasiddhas and Gelugpa patriarchs. Tangkas at this scale often replaced damaged wall paintings.
Description: Panjara Mahakala holds a curved knife and skull cup in front of his chest. His arms support the characteristics magic staff (gandi) that identifies him. The animals around his head are his messengers. Within a halo of flames the “Great Black One” is flanked by four deities: the four-armed Bhutadamara Vajrapani and the knife-brandishing Mahakala on the left and Ekajata and the four-armed Dusolma riding her mule on the right. Above these two pairs are Hevajra (left) and Chakrasamvara (right). The lineage of teachers depicted at the very top attributes the painting to the Sakya school. To the sides are the guardians of the directions and the bottom figures belong to Panjara Mahakala’s retinue.
Description: Ancient 17th-century image of Panjaranata Mahakala - the protector for the Shri Hevajra cycle of Tantras. The iconography and rituals are found in the 18th chapter of the Vajra Panjara Tantra (canopy, or pavilion) a Sanskrit language text from India, and an exclusive 'explanatory tantra' to the Hevajra Tantra itself. It is from the name of this tantra that this specific form of Mahakala is known. 'Vajra Panjara' means the vajra enclosure, egg-shaped, created from vajra scepters large and small - all sizes, completely surrounding a Tantric Buddhist mandala. The name of the Tantra is Vajra Panjara and the name of the form of Mahakala taught in this Tantra is also Vajra Panjara. The full name for the protector is Vajra Panjara Nata Mahakala.
