Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Hayagriva (Buddhist Deity)

རྟ་མགྲིན། ནང་ལྷ། 马头明王(佛教本尊)
(item no. 91030)
Origin Location Tibet
Date Range 1800 - 1899
Lineages Nyingma
Size 76.20x58.42cm (30x23in)
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton
Collection Erie Art Museum
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Deity

Interpretation / Description

Hayagriva, Heruka (Tibetan: tam drin, drag tung. English: the Hose-necked Blood-drinker) from the Longchen Nyingtig system of 'Revealed Treasure.'

Wrathful in appearance, red in colour, with five fearsome faces each crowned with a green horse head, sixteen hands, embracing the consort. Wings unfurl behind and he stands with eight legs atop various figures and snakes on a sun disc and multi-coloured lotus seat; surrounded by the brightly burning flames of pristine awareness. Above and to the left and right are three more Hayagriva deities. At the top center is the buddha Amitabha with lamas seated to the right and left. The very fierce Tibetan worldly protector Tsi'u Marpo, guardian of Samye Monastery, sits astride a hose accompanied by his six brothers engulfed in clouds of orange flame and dark smoke.

Jeff Watt 9-2000

Related Items
Thematic Sets
Collection of Erie Art Museum
Tradition: Nyingma Deity Paintings
Buddhist Deity: Hayagriva Main Page
Buddhist Deity: Hayagriva (Five Faces)