Much
more than a simple statue this Tibetan bronze is a magnificent ritual implement,
a dagger (phurba) used to cut away the roots of suffering attachment, ignorance,
anger, dullness and fear, emanations of the ego entrapped in the illusion of samsara.
The
three-eyed Mahakala, protector of the doctrine is resplendently horrific, black
hair flying in the fierce heat of an aureoles of flames. In his left hand, a skull
bowl overflows with blood and guts of our own inner demons, demons that when dissolved
becomes the gateways to our illuminated consciousness. With his fangs bared, tongue
curling, blood streaming from the sides of his mouth, Mahakala stands adorned
with writhing snakes and garlands of freshly severed heads, crowned with five
skulls representing the obstructions that he annihilates. The deity's magnificent
golden body crowns a three-sided ritual dagger, which pierces the core of our
ignorance personified as demon.
This
beautifully articulated bronze is finely cast, chased and gilded, with superlative
modeling of all the parts. The details are vivid, notably the texture of snake
skin and the wonderful modeling of the hands, with all fingers defined and long
menacing claws at the tip of each one. This magnificent ritual object and statue
is in extraordinary condition. It conveys a dynamism that endows dharma in action
for those who choose to enter the force and field of Mahalaka's powerful gifts
of illumination.
