Tibetan Buddhist Two Armed Mahakala in Cremation Ground Thangka Painting Mahakala comes from the Sanskrit maha (great) and kala (death or time) which translates that he is a deity beyond time. In Tibet, he is also called the Nagpo Chenpo, or the Great Black One, and is revered as guardian and protector. He is affiliated with Hindu god Shiva. According to tradition, he dwells in the cremation grounds. In this thangka, he is depicted with two arms and two legs. On his sides is a vulture and a lion, colored black to symbolize darkness or death. Mahalaka is surrounded by bright flames, representing the fire of dissolution. As in this piece, he is depicted with a wrathful and fierce expression that signals his might and power to overcome negativity along the path of enlightenment. His skin is blue that represents the eternal Dharmakaya. He sports an aflame beard and eyebrows to signal his transformative power to turn the five negativities into five wisdoms. These negative afflictions are represented by the five skulls on his crown (attachment, aversion, ignorance, pride, and jealousy). Mahakala wears a necklace adorned with human heads. Mahakala Thangka Painting: https://www.exoticindiaart.com/product/paintings/tibetan-buddhist-two-armed-mahakala-in-cremation-ground-ze90/ Buddha Paintings: https://www.exoticindiaart.com/paintings/thangka/buddha/ Thangka Paintings: https://www.exoticindiaart.com/paintings/thangka/ Indian Arts: https://www.exoticindiaart.com/paintings/ #indianarts #thangkapaintings #buddhapaintings #mahakalapaintings #paintings #buddhistmahakalpaintings #tibetianbuddhistpaintings #buddhagod #tibetianthangkapainting