Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala Art

Tibetan thangka of Mahakala art is handpainted on cotton canvas by Thangka artist from Nepal. Mahakala is comprehensive in nature. The two-armed Mahakala called Bernakchen is a protector of the Karma Kagyu school.

Mahakala is presented at the center of the painting. It is often thought to be the primary protector, but it is actually the main protector of the Karmapas specifically.

Iconography of Mahakala

Mahakala is typically black in color. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and forms are said to melt into those of Mahakala. Mahakala is symbolizing his all-embracing. Black can also represent the total absence of color and signifies the nature of Mahakala as ultimate or absolute reality and transcendence of all forms.

The most notable variation in Mahakala's manifestations and depictions is in the number of arms, but other details can vary as well. For instance, the two-armed Mahakala was transformed from the first Buddha, Ardhalma, and is worshiped for his spiritual wisdom. The four-armed Mahakala was transformed from the Sambhogakaya Buddha. The six-armed Mahakala comes in two forms: one white and one black. His white form helps one attain riches and long life.

His black form was transformed from Avalokitesvara and helps people conquer any obstacles on their path to enlightenment. This protective deity is described as figures possessing stout bodies, short but thick and strong limbs. His flaming hair, decorated with a crown of skulls, rises from his forehead, while a circle of flames dances around him.

His face possesses a typical wrathful expression. The mouth is contorted to an angry smile from its corners protrude long fangs. The protruding, bloodshot eyes have an angry and staring expression and usually, a third eye is visible in the middle of the forehead.

In his right hand, he holds a chopper which symbolizes the cutting through of negative patterns such as aggression, hatred, and ignorance. In his left hand, he holds a skull cup a ritual element typically filled with blood or human brain matter. He is seen standing on the corpse of two human bodies which symbolizing the death of negativities and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that like a dead body, and they will not come to life.

Mantra of Mahakala

The mantra of Mahakala is Om Mahakalaye Soha.