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Nine-deity Hevajra Mandala
OriginCentral Tibet
Date16th century
Dimensions18 1/2 × 11 1/4 × 3/4 in.
MediumPigments on cloth
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art
Object numberC2002.22.1
Himalayan Art Resources Number65115
DescriptionThis mandala of Hevajra is drawn according to the esoteric teachings of the great tantric master (mahasiddha) Virupa, an important teacher of practices in the Sakya tradition. Hevajra is a principal meditational deity of the secret tantric practice especially important in this tradition. At the center of this painting are Hevajra and his consort Nairatma, shown in union in their palace, which is depicted as a mandala, a floorplan-like geometric diagram. Eight goddesses, each in a lotus petal of a different color representing cardinal directions, surround the couple. Teachers of this specific practice sit on clouds at the top register while protector deities of the Sakya tradition occupy the bottom right corner. The back of the painting displays concentric circles composed of protective mantras and sacred syllables.Not on view
14th or 16th - 17th century
17th century
12th century
early 18th century, ca. 1720
14th century
15th century
16th century (ca. 1500)
ca. 1659-1671
16th century
15th century
19th century (?)