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Lot Essay
Mahakala belongs to the class of dharmapalas or protectors of the Buddhist Faith. According to Tibetan tradition the dharmapalas are pre-Buddhist local deities. They were subdued by the great master Padmasambhava and included into the pantheon as fierce defenders of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan iconographic texts describe over seven various forms of Mahakala. This six-armed form is known as Cintamanimahakala or the 'Mahakala with the Wish Bestowing Gem'. He tramples on two Ganeshas, the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom and wealth. He wears a variety of Chinese auspicious symbols. Unusual are the turquoise inlaid crown and mother-of-pearl inlaid teeth, underlining his name.