The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Manjuvajra, an Esoteric Manifestation of Manjushri

Eastern India, Bihar

11th–12th century; base sealed later in Tibet

Not on view

This six-armed esoteric form of Manjushri emerged in Buddhist imagery late in the Pala period; all known images date to the eleventh and tweflth centuries. A visualized form of bodhisattva Manjushri, with three faces and six arms, Manjuvajra is described in the Nishpanna Yogavali (Garland of Perfection Yoga) as providing a path to wisdom and intelligence. The crossed hands at the chest invoke the embrace of his consort, Prajna (wisdom); the display of weapons, the dispelling of ignorance; and the wisom book (pustaka), the path.

Manjuvajra, an Esoteric Manifestation of Manjushri, Copper alloy, inlaid with silver and copper, Eastern India, Bihar — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Manjuvajra, an Esoteric Manifestation of Manjushri, Copper alloy, inlaid with silver and copper, Eastern India, Bihar

Manjuvajra, an Esoteric Manifestation of Manjushri, Copper alloy, inlaid with silver and copper, Eastern India, Bihar

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Manjuvajra, an Esoteric Manifestation of Manjushri

Period: Pala period

Date: 11th–12th century; base sealed later in Tibet

Culture: Eastern India, Bihar

Medium: Copper alloy, inlaid with silver and copper

Dimensions: H. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm); W. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm); D. 1 7/8 (4.8 cm)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by a private collection

Accession Number: L.2017.31.1

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.