Mahakala #672 and Bhairab / Bhairava #673 Masks, Nepal EACH MASK SOLD SEPARATELY

$ 975.00
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  • Mahakala and Bhairab Masks, Nepal 
  • EACH MASK SOLD SEPARATELY
  • 1) Mahakala (Red), Nepal circa 1950-60's
  • Mahakala, a wrathful Deity, is considered to be the fierce and powerful emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This Deity defends the Dharma (the Path of Righteousness) from corruption and degeneration and from forces hostile to it, and keeps the Rituals free from impure thoughts and actions. He is believed to guide and protect the individual practitioner from all kinds of deception and delusion, and bestow the power to overcome life struggles.
    In Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese monasteries, offering Pujas to the Great Protector Mahakala and entourage are performed in the evening. At the end of every year, it is traditional for all Tibetan Monasteries to perform the year-end Mahakala Grand Puja and Sacred Dance. A necklace is the centerpiece of Mahakala dancer's costume, and depicts the Five Skulls and Vanquished Demons. The Five Skulls represent the transmutation of the five negative afflictions of human nature into positive virtues. Thus:
    a). Ignorance transforms into the wisdom of reality.
    b). Pride becomes the wisdom of sameness.
    c). Attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment.
    d). Jealousy becomes the wisdom of accomplishment.
    e). Anger becomes mirror like wisdom.
  • Measurements: 35 x 28 x 14 cm
  • Condition: Excellent. The back of the Mask shows long term Ritual use and care.
  • See photos - please pay attention to the carving of the skulls and the mask itself.
  • 2) Bhairab / Bhairava  (Kala-Black), Nepal circa 1950-60's
  • Bhairava, fearsome Hindu deity worshipped throughout Asia who is important primarily in Hinduism as well as Buddhism and Jainism. Bhairava’s name means “horrific” in Sanskrit, and the Deity is closely associated with the Hindu God Shiva. He is venerated in various Tantric Traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism as well as within Shaivism—the branch of Hinduism that worships Shiva as the Supreme God.
  • Religious background
    Bhairava has been part of Hindu Mythology since at least the 5th century CE. He is closely related to the Cremation Ground, where His worship likely began, as the Lord of Demons and the Dead. In later religious practice he is considered a Protector of the Living from those same Demonic and Deadly Forces.
  • He is closely associated with Tantric Ascetic groups in Hinduism connected to Shaivism, such as the Kapalikas and Kalamukhas (“skull-bearers” and “black-faces”), Pashupathas, Aghoris, and Nath Yogis. These so-called “left-hand Tantra” groups, few of which remain in small pockets in India, have been known to smear themselves with Ashes, live in Cremation Grounds, and partake of sexual and food-consumption practices that conscientiously violate the taboos of conventional Hinduism. The ancient Kapalikas, for example, used human skulls for begging bowls, in imitation of the story of Bhairava. These Tantric groups have historically venerated Bhairava and engaged in activities emulating that God’s horrifying nature.
  • According to their philosophies, imitating the God by transgressing mainstream norms can be a means of achieving Liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of Rebirth (Samsara).
  • Measurements: 31 x 24 x 9 cm
  • Condition: Excellent. The back of the Mask shows long term Ritual use and care.
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