Shri Devi (protector) - Palden Lhamo
(item no. 90407)

Tibet

1800 - 1899

Drigung (Kagyu) and Kagyu Lineages

Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton

Collection of Lostand Foundation


 


Shri Devi (Tibetan: pel den lha mo): the principal female wisdom protector of Tantric Buddhism and the wrathful form of Shri Lakshmi (Tib.: pel lhamo).

Wrathful in appearance, dark blue in colour, she has one face and four hands. The two right hands hold a white skullcup to the heart and an upraised sword. The left hold a kila (Tib.: phur ba) three edged dagger and a trident held upraised. Three peacock feathers adorn the crown of the head. Seated atop a mule wading through an ocean of blood she is surrounded by wisps of red flame and clouds of dark billowing smoke. A host of retinue figures surround the central deity.

At the top center is the primordial buddha Vajradhara with Tilopa at the left and Naropa on the right. Kagyu lineage lamas extend to the sides. Beneath Vajradhara is the tutelary deity Sahaja Heruka Chakrasamvara embracing the consort red Vajra Varahi.

Jeff Watt 4-2000


View other items in:
Thematic Set
Buddhist Protectors: Enlightened
Collection of Lostand Foundation
Buddhist Protector: Shri Devi (All Images)
Tradition: Kagyu, Enlightened Protectors
Buddhist Protectors: Enlightened (Female)
Buddhist Protector: Shri Devi, Palden Lhamo



Copyright © 2008 Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.
Photographed Image Copyright © 2004 Lostand Foundation