Vajrabhairava (Buddhist Deity) - Solitary

(Ekavira)
(item no. 198)
Tibet
1700 - 1799
Sakya Lineage
62.23x40.64cm (24.50x16in)
Ground Mineral Pigment, Black Background on
Cotton
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art
(acc.# P1995.21.8)

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Vajrabhairava Ekavira (Tibetan: dor je jig je, pa wo chig pa. English:
The Solitary Hero Vajra Terror) a wrathful form of Manjushri.
The ferocious Vajrabhairava is black in colour with 9 faces, 34 hands and
16 legs. The main face is that of a buffalo, with a red face above and
the slightly angry yellow face of Manjushri placed on top. Flames
entwine the two horns and shoot fire from the tips. The three right
faces, stacked one above the other, are blue, red and yellow and the
three left are white, smoky coloured and black. Each face has three
large round eyes, bared fangs and each conveys a different emotional
expression; yellow hair flows upward like rising flames. The first pair of
hands hold a curved knife and skullcup at the heart. The remaining
hands hold a multitude of weapons with the last set also holding the
fresh outstretched hide of an elephant. Each face is adorned with a
crown of five skulls and bone earrings. He wears a snake necklace and a
garland of fifty heads. The right legs are bent pressing down on a
variety of creatures and gods. The left legs are extended straight and
press upon eight birds and various gods. Above a sun disc and multi-
coloured lotus blossom he stands in the middle of a mass of orange
flames of pristine awareness. Placed at the front of the lotus is a
skullcup containing a red triangular offering torma (stylized food) and
slightly below to each side are two additional skullcups filled with
various offerings.
At the top center is Vajradhara, the primordial buddha, dark blue in
colour, with one face and two hands holding a vajra and bell to the
heart. At the left corner is Kunga Lhundrub wearing monastic robes and
a red cap performing the mudra (gesture) of blessing with the right hand
and holding a Dharma wheel in the lap. At the right corner is Kunga
Palzang wearing monastic robes and a red pandita hat performing the
mudra (gesture) of blessing with the right hand and holding a gold
mudra (gesture) of blessing with the right hand and holding a gold
object in the left. The names of the two lamas are written in very small
fine gold lettering beneath each.
At the bottom center is the special protector for the Vajrabhairava cycle
of practice, Yama Dharmaraja, black, with one face and two hands
holding a stick and noose, embraced by the consort Chamundi and
mounted atop a buffalo; surrounded by flames. To the left is the
guardian of the northern direction, yellow Vaishravana, holding a banner
and mongoose riding atop a snow lion. To the right is Panjarnata
Mahakala, protector for the Hevajra Tantras, black, with one face and
two hands holding a curved knife and skullcup with a stick across the
forearms; surrounded by flames of pristine awareness issuing forth
animal and bird messengers amongst the licks of flame.
As a tutelary deity Vajrabhairava, also sometimes referred to as
Yamantaka, belongs to the Bhairava and Yamari class of tantras and
specifically arises from the Vajrabhairava Root Tantra (Tibetan: jig je
tsa gyu). All of those belong to the method (father) classification of
Anuttaryoga Tantra. The practice of Bhairava is common to the three
Sarma (new) Schools: Sakya, Kagyu and Gelugpa. Among the Sakya it is
counted as one of the four main tantric deities along with Hevajra,
Guhyasamaja and Chakrasamvara (Tibetan: gyu de shi). Amongst the
various Kagyu Schools the Drigungpa have been strong upholders of the
practice. There are numerous forms and styles of practice from the very
complex with numerous deities to the very concise with a single Heruka
form. From the many lineages to enter Tibet the main ones were those
of Jowo Atisha, Rwa Lotsawa and Mal Lotsawa.
Mal Lineage: the lord of Refuge Vajradhara, Arya Manjushri, Acharya
Buddha Jnana, Dipamkara Zangpo, Brahmin Shridhara, the pandita and
mahasiddha Naropa, Minyam Dorje Khol, the Nepali of Yerang Bharo
Chagdum, Mal Lotsawa Lodro Dragpa, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-
1158), etc.
The style of painting is black scroll (Tib.: nag thang) - gold outline on a
black background with various colours used for detailing the figures.
This style is reserved for wrathful figures.
Jeff Watt 7-98
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Publication
Publication: Oriental Art, Vol XLVI No. 2
Thematic Set
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery VI
Tradition: Sakya Deity Paintings
Painting Type: Black Ground
Buddhist Deity: Vajrabhairava Main Page
Copyright 2013 Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.
Photographed Image Copyright 2004 Rubin Museum of Art