A BLACK GROUND THANGKA DEPICTING PANJARNATA MAHAKALA TIBET, 17TH/18TH CENTURY |

Mahakala Panjarnata holding his principal attributes the kartrika, kapala and ghandi stick, with Vajradhara above flanked by the Indian Brahmin Vararuchi to the left and a Buddhist master holding a sutra to the right, blue Bhutadamara Mahakala standing below to the left, and Arya Ekajati seated to the right above blue Shri Devi riding the mule, and with the Five Rakshasa dancing to the left and beneath Himalayan Art Resources item no. 13609.

Acquired in India, Circa 1960’s, thence by descent.

With creasing and subsequent loss to pigments throughout. More visible crease running horizontally along the lower third of the painting. With overall accretion and areas of water damage. Red and orange pigments intact overall. Inscription visible on the verso. Mounted in silk brocade.
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The wrathful figure Panjarnata Mahakala, derived from the Vajrapanjara Tantra, is the special protector of of the Hevajra tantras. He was also considered the special protector of Nalanda University in Bihar, as is evidenced by the wooden ghandi across his forearms, the same kind of wooden gong which would have been used to call monastic inhabitants to assembly.