Guhyasamaja

CHINA, Tibet

Guhyasamaja is one of the primary deities of the Highest Yoga Father Tantra and one of the three main yidams of the Gelug school. In this painting, Guhyasamaja has a blue body and sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne. On each of the three faces, there are three eyes, which symbolize reflections on the past, present, and future. The two outer faces are colored in white and red, representing the merit of compassion and the vanquishing of demons respectively. Guhyasamaja wears golden crowns and has a tall usnisa. Two of his hands wrap around his consort, Sparshavajra, and hold a vajra and a bell, symbols of compassion and wisdom. The other hands hold objects such as a Dharma wheel, a lotus, a wish-fulfilling jewel, and a dagger, a symbol of the elimination of ignorance. Guhyasamaja is surrounded by numerous smaller figures including Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors, and lamas.