Mahakala Panjaranatha and Companions (Primary Title)
thanka (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
The form of Mahakala called Panjaranatha (Lord of the Pavilion) is the primary protector of the Sakya order and is considered Mahakala’s elemental form. In the crooks of his elbows he holds a magical staff with which he can summon any of Mahakala’s various emanations. With his three eyes bulging and fanged mouth agape, he squats on a corpse and brandishes a flaying knife-chopper and gore-filled skull cup. His characteristic oversize belly hangs low, while a floral-figured starched scarf forms the innermost of multiple halos around him. Among the many figures surrounding him are members of his ghoulish retinue.
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