Hevajra Mandala

16th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 253

Hevajra is one of the premier enlightened beings (yidam) in esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism and is widely revered in Tibet as a fierce protective deity. Eight-headed, four-legged, and with sixteen arms, Hevajra is represented here embracing his consort Nairatmya. He holds ritual utensils in his crossed hands and she a flaying knife (karttrka). Their ecstatic dance generates a flaming red aureole bordered by emanations of Hevajra. The couple is replicated in four medallions located in the corners. The uppermost register displays deities alongside mahasiddhas and lamas, practitioners of Tantric Buddhism, and the lowermost register records a lineage of monks together with protector gods. The text that inspired this work, the Hevajra Tantra, was composed in eastern India in the eighth century or slightly later, and enjoyed great popularity in Tibet, as well as in Cambodia, Java, and China.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Hevajra Mandala
Artist: Sakya School
Date: 16th century
Culture: Tibet
Medium: Ink and distemper on cloth
Dimensions: 21 1/4 x 17 15/16 in. (54.0 x 45.6 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Henry and Louise Loeb, 1982
Object Number: 1982.225
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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