A TIBETAN THANG-KA DEPICTING PADMASAMBHAVA, seated on a lotus, his right hand holding patra, the left in varadamudra, wearing undergarment, cloak and specific cap, his face with downcast expression, a double aureol behind, Guru Padmasambhava above, Hayagriva below, surrounded by many scenes depicting his previous lifes, each with an inscription in gilt dBu-can script, in an extensive landscape, the reverse with two red hand-prints and a long inscription in a fine dBu-med script, in brocate mounting, 18th Century

Details
A TIBETAN THANG-KA DEPICTING PADMASAMBHAVA, seated on a lotus, his right hand holding patra, the left in varadamudra, wearing undergarment, cloak and specific cap, his face with downcast expression, a double aureol behind, Guru Padmasambhava above, Hayagriva below, surrounded by many scenes depicting his previous lifes, each with an inscription in gilt dBu-can script, in an extensive landscape, the reverse with two red hand-prints and a long inscription in a fine dBu-med script, in brocate mounting, 18th Century
93 x 59 cm (slightly worn)
Literature
Kreijger, H., Godenbeelden uit Tibet, Amsterdam, 1989, p. 68
Exhibited
Goden en goeroes, Museum of Ethnology, Rotterdam, 17 June - 28 November 1989

Lot Essay

The inscription can be translated as follow:
Bzad-pa'i-rdo-rje made the next verse corresponding the wish of (the family of) Sar-ma-ba's on the feast-day, which coincides with the 'State-cathedral' of Lhasa:
May Padmasambhava, king of the magicians (and) the mighty, the wrathful sovereigns, the protectors of wisdom and the magical instruments, together with their irreconcible and undivided oath and wisdom, grant the supreme and ordinary magical powers.
May he, who transformed the five personality agregates and purified the five gifts in the (highest)spere, who became a clear Buddha in the realm of the five Buddha families, set an act, which brings together in perfect harmony all the five supernatural and perfect wisdoms.
May he, who conquered all deceptions, as well the dragons, the gnomes and demons of the west and submitted the three worlds to his power, set (us) free in the great, perfect being of the diamond of language.

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