Vintage yak bone carving Mahakala

Amazingly detailed Mahakala figurine carved from a piece of yak bone. Handcarved by an artisan craftsman in Kathmandu, with the utmost attention being paid to all the tiniest details. This is a real masterpiece.

Mahakala is a deity known in Hinduism and Buddhism. He is often depicted as a fierce, terrifying creature, embodying the wrathful dynamics of deities such as Shiva. Also Mahakala can be seen as a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, a boddhisattva representing the embodiment of universal compassion, who realized his peaceful methods were too mild to subdue the degenerate beings and thus manifested in a wrathful form to accomplish his compassionate intentions.

In Tibetan buddhism Mahakala is seen as a powerful protector of the dharma, which is one of the reasons why masks and statues with his depiction often can be found at the entrance of temples and monasteries.

Also in traditional shamanism, such as the lineage of Spirit of Wolf, depictions of Mahakala (and other wrathful deities) can be found. Here they are also connected with Erlik Han, lord of the Underworld, and as such used in black shamanic work.

Symbolism that can often be found in depictions of Mahakala is for example; a third eye, representing clear, true vision and insights, not clouded by the distractions and illusions of the human mind and ego. And a crown with five skulls, representing the five 'poisonous delusions': anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy, and pride. And Mahakala is often depicted in black; the total absence of color, in which all colors just disappear, symbolizing the ultimate, absolute truth.

This figurine is approximately 8,5 centimeters high and weighs 45 grams. A unique item to put on your altar.

Only one available.

Please know; the art of real, artisan bonecarving by hand is a dying craft in Himalayan area's, because of, among other reasons, unfair competition from machine-made, a dime-a-dozen, mass production in other Asian regions. Therefore real pieces such as these ones are getting increasingly more rare and expensive.