Kalachakra
- Inventory number:
- Ж-1360
- Author:
- Unknown
- Creation Date:
- 19th century
- Place of Creation:
- Buryatia
- Provenance:
- Received from a private individual
- Technique:
- painting
- Size:
- 57 x 31 cm
- Material:
- canvas, mineral paint
- Type of object:
- Thangka
- Subject:
- Buddhism
Vajrabhairava (literally “Terrifying Vajra”) is the personification of the Vajramahabhairava Tantra and the yidam (individual protector deity) in the system of this tantra. Vajrabhairava is the main yidam of the Gelug school and is also known as Yamantaka (the Destroyer of Yama, Lord of Death), or Shinjéshé (Tibetan). In the thangka, Yamantaka is depicted accompanied by the protectors of the teachings. The iconographic group of the protectors of the teachings in the tradition of the Mongolian peoples consists of ten figures. In the center, Yamantaka, known among Mongolian peoples as Zhigdjed or Erlik Tonilgan Uyleduggchi, is depicted with nine heads (the central one being the head of a bull), thirty-four arms, and sixteen legs. He is shown in a complex form, embracing his consort, Vajravetali. This union symbolizes the unity of wisdom and method.
