Shadbhuja Mahakala – The “Six-armed Great Black One”
See it in the Museum

Chapel
Orientation 1
Wall object 8

ABP 013
Code: ABP 013
Country: Tibet or China
Style:
Date: 1600 - 1700
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 46.5 x 59.5
Materials: Silk Embroidery Thanka
Shadbhuja Mahakala – The Six-armed Mahakala
Embroidered with colored silk threads following a Chinese technique, this image represents the famous wisdom protector Mahakala “The Great Black One” under his six-armed aspect. Corpulent and fearsome, he has a dark skin, sometimes described as dark blue, a furious expression with gaping mouth, bulging eyes, and flaming hair standing on his head. He is adorned with the charnel ground bone ornaments and his six hands brandish various attributes among which the curved blade and the skull cup, a snare and a double drum, a skull garland and a trident.
This form of Mahakala is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of Compassion under a wrathful aspect praised to swiftly overcome the obstacles standing on the way towards Buddhahood. This quality is illustrated by the protector trampling on the Hindu god Ganesha considered as the Lord of hindrances and obstacles.
Embroidered with colored silk threads following a Chinese technique, this image represents the famous wisdom protector Mahakala “The Great Black One” under his six-armed aspect. Corpulent and fearsome, he has a dark skin, sometimes described as dark blue, a furious expression with gaping mouth, bulging eyes, and flaming hair standing on his head. He is adorned with the charnel ground bone ornaments and his six hands brandish various attributes among which the curved blade and the skull cup, a snare and a double drum, a skull garland and a trident.
This form of Mahakala is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of Compassion under a wrathful aspect praised to swiftly overcome the obstacles standing on the way towards Buddhahood. This quality is illustrated by the protector trampling on the Hindu god Ganesha considered as the Lord of hindrances and obstacles.