Himalayan Art Resources

Item: King - of Shambhala

རྒྱལ་པོ། 国王
(item no. 694)
Origin Location Eastern Tibet
Date Range 1800 - 1899
Lineages Karma (Kagyu)
Size 52.07x78.11cm (20.50x30.75in)
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
Collection Shelley & Donald Rubin
Catalogue # acc.# P1998.13.2
Painting School Palpung / Situ
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Person

Appearance: King

Gender: Male

Interpretation / Description

Raktapāṇi (phyag dmar), an emanation of Nīvaraṇaviṣkambhin. Red Hands: the 6th Knowledge Holder (vidyadhara, rig den) and sometimes said to be an emanation of Ushnisha Chakravartin.

Blue in colour he holds an axe in the upraised right hand and the severed head of Brahma in the left.

Katog Tsewang Norbu text: "the sixth vidyadara, Raktapani, emanation of Ushnisha Chakravartin."

Jeff Watt 1-2003

Front of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: Homage to the Dharma King, Knowledge Holder, Red Hands.

Wylie Transliteration of Inscription: chos rgyal rigs ldan phag dmar la na mo.

Related Items
Thematic Sets
Painting Style: Kham Region (Kham-ri)
Collection of Shelley & Donald Rubin (Masterworks)
Kings: Shambhala (Deity Iconography)
Collection of Shelley & Donald Rubin
Kings: Shambhala (Palpung Misc.)