Vajrapani Bodhisattva

NEPAL

Vajrapani is represented in his wrathful aspect, which stands in the warrior stance astride two demons. A garland of severed heads swings from the figure’s shoulders as he holds a vajra high in the right hand and a skull cup in the left hand. Around the waist is a tiger’s skin which the head visible on the right thigh. The hair is piled high and tipped with a jewel, while the crown is decorated with gems. The hollow mandorla that frames the figure is decorated with vajras and lotuses, and is affixed to an oval lotus pedestal. The beaded border of the pedestal and the slight upturn of the petals are influences from the Pala period (circa 8th–12th century).