TIBET, 18TH CENTURY

This strikingly powerful painting of Marutse in the solitary form depicts the protector deity with four arms riding atop a Garuda, a mythical bird that represents the enlightened characteristics of a bodhisattva. Marutse often appears in the retinue of Mahakala, where he is described as severing the life-force or breath of demonic enemies. Marutse is extremely wrathful and maroon in color, signifying the magnetizing activity of Vajrayana Buddhism. Magnetizing activities attract positive circumstances for the practitioner, and related rituals are often practiced to overcome obstacles for growth and development. With three angry red eyes, a gaping mouth, and blazing facial hair, he is extremely fierce, wearing bone ornaments and a five-skull crown made from his enemies. He also wears the flayed skins of a human, elephant and tiger, along with a garland of fifty blood-dripping heads.
Marutse dwells amidst a blazing mass of fire, his wildly waving hair mirroring the flames around him. He holds a curved knife and a blood-filled skull-cup with his first two hands, and with his second pair of hands he holds an iron sword and the warm blood-dripping heart of an enemy. Marutse is a protector deity coming from the Terma, or 'Revealed Treasure,' Tradition of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. A prominent feature of the Nyingma school, Terma teachings are considered to be originally hidden by highly attained Vajrayana masters to be discovered at opportune times. Buddhist teachers known as Tertön (gter ston) assume the responsibility of uncovering these treasures. Surrounding the dominating figure of Marutse are various tutelary protectors, each depicted with an animal head.