Six-armed Mahakala

Mahakalas are powerful Buddhist protector deities summoned by the sound of the damaru and rkangling (examples on view nearby). These manifestations of divine wrath are invoked to remove internal and external impediments to enlightenment. The six-armed Mahakala depicted here tramples an elephant-headed god, who represents these obstacles. Wearing a headdress and garland adorned with representations of bone beadwork, skulls, and heads, this mighty figure holds a damaru in one of his hands.