TIBET, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Chakrasamvara is one of the most popular deities in Tantric Buddhism. In his primary hands he holds a vajra and bell, his topmost hands hold an elephant skin stretched out behind him, his proper right hands hold a drum, axe trident and curved knife, and his proper left hands hold a khatvanga staff, a lasso, a blood-filled skullcup and the four-faced head of Brahma. Each of his heads wears a skull crown, and he also is adorned with bone ornaments and a garland of freshly severed heads. Around his waist is tied a tiger-skin. Vajravarahi also holds a curved knife, skullcap and a garland, this time of skulls, and wears a bone apron around her waist.

At top center is Vajradhara in embrace, with the Indian Mahasidda, Ghantapa, at left and an unidentified teacher at right. At bottom center is Shadbhuja Mahakala, flanked by a white-skinned Tibetan worldly protector at left, and the red-skinned protector, Dorje Setrab, at right.

Ghantapa was a monk at Nalanda monastery who was greatly praised for his learning. He eventually was initiated into the Chakrasamvara mandala practice and left he monastery to pursue further meditation in the jungles. Compare with lot 4030, which includes the Indian mahasidda, Luipa, at upper left instead. In both the Ghantapa and Luipa traditions, the Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi figures are represented identically.