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Mahakala Panjaranatha (Protector of the Tent)

late 14th–early 15th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 253
Mahakala is the principal destroyer of the bonds that tie us to spiritual ignorance. Here he plunges his flaying knife into the skull cup that simmers with a flaming sea of sense organs, and in the crook of his arms he holds a baton for summoning monks to assembly.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mahakala Panjaranatha (Protector of the Tent)
  • Date: late 14th–early 15th century
  • Culture: Tibet
  • Medium: Steatite with color and gilding
  • Dimensions: H. 7 in. (17.8 cm); W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm); D. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.500.4.18
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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dated 532 AH/1138 CE
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