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- the family of Akshobhya Buddha. He is depicted here with twelve arms, four heads (each with a third eye) and wears a skull crown and a garland of skulls. He embraces his prajna, Vajravarahi, with two arms, his wrists crossed, holding a vajra and bell (ghanta) in his hands. He is symbolically treading on the enemies of religion. In his other hands he holds an elephant skin, skull cup, cot�s leg, rope, heads of Brahma, trident, battle-ax, kettledrum, chopper and elephant foot. Vajravarahi holds a vajra and a kapala full of blood. She wears a garland of severed heads, has dishevelled hair and no garment. For reasons unknown, this deity was particularly popular among the Newari Buddhists of Nepal.
45 Hayagriva in yab-yum 17th century (Nepalese or Tibetan) silver, pigments, ht. 19 cm Mrs. Marjorie Finlayson Collection
This metal statue shows Hayagriva (the horse�headed one) in his wrathful yidam form with garuda wings, trampling on demons. He has three faces with a third eye, six arms and four legs. Intheflaming hair surmounting his heads is his characteristic symbol, the horse head. Hissakti has one leg around him and holds a chopper and a skull cup. He wears an elephant and lion skin as well as a garland of severed heads. In Tibet, Hayagriva is one of the protectors of the faith and the protector of horses. The winged yab-yum Hayagriva is a popular divinity worshipped by the Red Hat sect. In thetantric ideas of Vajrayana Buddhism, as was entrenched in Transitional Period Nepal, Hayagriva was a Vajra�yana god. In Hinduism, he is an avatar of Vishnu. It should be pointed out here that Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal share many of the same rituals and some deities. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish whether some Nepali images belong to Hinduism or Buddhism.
46 Vajrapani 17th/18th century bronze, gilt, ht. 13.5 cm ROM 972.364.13
This statue shows Vajrapani in ferocious or dharmapala form, known as Vajrapani-Acarya. He is represented in human form and steps to the right trampling two figures. His expression is angry and he has the third eye. He wears jewellery, has a serpent necklace and wears a tigerskin loincloth. In his uplifted right hand he holds a vajra, the left hand has the bell (ghanta). Vajrapani is the protector of the nagas against their enemies, the garudas, and in order to combat the garudas, he assumed a form in their likeness. This explains the depictions of small garudas in his headdress and on his chest and abdomen. A long scarf is draped around his shoulders.
47 Garuda
18th century
brass, gilt, red pigment, ht. 14.1 cm Brian S. McElney Collection
Garuda is the horned part-bird, part-human vehicle of the Hindu god, Vishnu, Lord of Preservation. He became a popular emblem in Tibet among both the Bon and Buddhist religions as a sky god. He is looked upon as a bringer of rain and a protector against poisoned water and snake bites. Garuda is the arch-enemy of snakes (nagas) and is often shown holding a snake in his beak or standing on naginis (serpent goddesses).
The impressive bronze statue of garuda, illustrated here with flaming red hair, shows incredible detail in the casting.
48 Kuvera (Dzam-bHa-la, Ser-po)
18th century
brass, gilt
George Crofts Collection ROM 918.21.957
This statue is a representation of Kuvera, the God of Wealth in the form of Jambhala. He has a closely cut beard under the chin, wears an elaborate crown or bejewelled turban and is adorned with royal ornaments such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets. A narrow shawl stiffly stands up from his shoulders. He is bare to the waist and wears a dhoti. He is seated on a lotus base with his right leg pendent and supported by a lotus flower on which is a conch-shell on a vase. In his right hand he holds a flaming jewel or jambhara (lemon), and in his left hand a mongoose (nakula) with a jewel in its mouth. Kuvera is the Hindu god of wealth, who is also worshipped by the Buddhists, and his abode was said to be on Mount Kailas. He is also regarded as a lokapala and as regent of the North he is called Vaisravana, but in that form he is dressed like a warrior and carries a banner. There used to be a special ceremony in Tibet for imploring Kuvera for riches. He also played an important role in the Tantras, in sorcery and exorcism.
49 Naga King or Rahula
17th century
brass, gilt, stone inlay, ht. 33 cm Gift of Max Tanenbaum, Toronto, 1980 NGC 26720
This statue, which holds snakes in its four arms, has eight heads, eyes on its body, and a coiled serpent tail for the lower body. The uppermost head is that of a bird, surmounted by a guardian figure, probably Vajrapani (the protector of the nagas). This statue might represent the Naga king, Tsuna Rinchen or a less wrathful manifestation of the protector deity, Rahula (compare with print no. 26).
Serpents (nagas), the guardians of spiritual treasure, play an important role in the art and legends of both Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion.
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