Subject: Trampled Figures Underfoot (Gods & Deities)

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Buddhist Iconography Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Subject:
--- Trampled Figures (Gods & Deities)
--- Trampled Animals
- Type:
--- prone
--- suppressed
--- supporting
--- corpse
- Number of Trampled Figures
- Yongle Style Main Page
- Confusions
- Others...

Videos:
- Trampled Figures Underfoot, Part 1
- Trampled Figures Underfoot, Part 2

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Figures Trampled Underfoot

Bhutadamara Vajrapani:
- Bhuta Aparajita

Panjarnata Mahakala:
- corpse

Shadbhuja Mahakala:
- Vignantaka

Krodha Vajrapani, Hayagriva 'Secret Accomplishment':
- Naga Figures

Chakrasamvara & Vajrayogini:
- Black Bhairava
- Red Kalaratri

Vajravarahi:
- Prone Figure

Hevajra:
- Brahma
- Indra
- Vishnu
- Shiva

Kalachakra:
- Kamadeva
- Rudra
- Rati
- Uma

Vajrabhairava:
- Shiva
- Vishnu
- Indra
- Brahma
- Kartika
- Chandra
- Surya
- Ganesh

Vajrabhairava, Sitatapatra, Dakarnava, Mahavara Mukhi Varahi, Others:
- Multiple figures

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In Tantric Buddhist art it is common for semi-wrathful and wrathful deities to stand or trample upon smaller figures. The smaller figures generally represent ego, or the four skandhas of Buddhist philosophy.

Several sculpture, part of a larger work, have recently been identified as likely belonging to a depiction of Vajrabhairava. The semi-prone figures represent Hindu gods that are subjugated or trampled by the standing Vajrabhairava. (See images below).

Three of the works below are depictions of the eight Indian gods under the feet of Vajrabhairava. An additional three are known in collections with two having unknown whereabouts. The principal figure of Vajrabhairava is also missing as is the lotus base of the sculpture.

Jeff Watt 2-2015