Hevajra Tapestries

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.