Panjarnata Mahakala – Lord of the Pavilion
Panjarnata, Vajra Mahakala is the special protector of the Hevajra cycle of teachings and principal protector of the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
The great Vajra Mahakala blazes, with one face, two hands, holding in the right a curved knife called Karitka and in the left a skull cup called Kapala filled with blood held above and below the heart. Held across the middle of the two forearms is the ‘Gandhi of Emanation.’ With three eyes, bared fangs, yellow hair flowing upward, has a crown of five dry human skulls and a necklace of fifty wet – blood dripping. Adorned with six bone ornaments and snakes, the Panjarnata Mahakala here is shown in his phurwa leg position and stands above a corpse.
Gestures and Attributes
With one face and two hands he holds a curved knife called Kartika and skullcup called Kapala to the heart with a ‘gandhi’ stick resting across the forearms. From this magical emanation stick all other forms of Mahakala emanate. His hair flames up like fire as he glares with round eyes and a gaping mouth. Very fierce with all the customary wrathful ornaments and attire such as the necklace of fifty freshly severed heads, a long snake as a Brahmin cord he also wears an ornate white scarf around the neck. In a squat posture he stands atop a corpse above a sun disc surrounded by a mass of flaming fire of pristine awareness.
About this Sculpture
Expertly cast from copper alloy and gilded with 24 karat gold, this statue is a beautiful portrayal of Safu or Panjarnata Mahakala. This sculpture was crafted in Patan, Nepal by master artisans of the Shakya clan who are considered among the best in the world. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to a centuries-old tradition of creating sacred art for use in temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques have been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times.
