In Tibetan Buddhism, Hevajra [Tib.: kye rdo rje - ཀྱེ་རྡོ་རྗེ་] belongs to the category of »yidams«. A »yidam« is a meditating deity or divine being that is worshipped by practitioners of tantric traditions. They are often regarded as incarnations of wisdom and enlightened energy, and served as a means of transforming one's own mind.
On the tsa tsa, Hevajra is depicted with four heads and sixteen arms, alongside his wisdom partner [»Prajna«], named »Nairatmya«. She embodies the wisdom of »non-self« and often appears in tantric representations as Hevajra's companion or consort.
In his sixteen-armed form, he holds a skull cup [»Kapala«] in each hand, each containing a specific symbolic being or deity. These attributes represent overcoming obstacles and transforming worldly aspects into enlightened qualities. Each bowl symbolizes one of the negative passions or states that Hevajra overcomes.
Hevajra is a central figure in Tantric Buddhism, particularly Tibetan Buddhism. He is revered as a powerful and complex deity in the Vajrayana tradition, which has deeply symbolic meaning. The name Hevajra is composed of two parts: »He« and »Vajra«. »He« is a Sanskrit syllable often interpreted as an expression of »glory« or »Yidama«, while »Vajra« stands for »diamond« or »thunderbolt«, symbolizing strength, indestructibility and spiritual power.
The purpose of practising tantric rituals and meditations is to connect with a deity in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment and gain a deeper understanding of reality. The tantric practice associated with Hevajra often involves complex visualizations, mantras, and rituals that serve to purify the practitioner and guide them on the path to enlightenment.
Hevajra thus represents not only a spiritual force, but also the idea of transforming negative emotions and destructiveness into a state of wisdom and compassion.
A small stupa rests on his left arm at the top left. Remnants of a Tibetan inscription can be seen in the lower section. Hevajra is stepping on demons, known as the »Four Maras«, to symbolise that he is overcoming suffering, ignorance and obstacles in order to attain enlightenment. The lower end of the tsa tsa forms a single tier lotus throne.
Condition: The tsa tsa is unusually well preserved. The oval Hevajra image is intact with no missing parts. The Tibetan inscriptions mentioned above were probably very fine originally, but are now illegible due to abrasion.
| Details about the sixteen kapalas in his hands |
| Himalayan Art Ressources Video |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurements: | 3.3 x 3 x 0" | 8.5 x 7.5 x 0 cm |
| Price: | on request |
| Shipment: | Parcel Service from Germany |
| Material: | Fired clay |
| Age: | 16th - 17th cent. |
| High resolution: | Display [0.5 MB, 1836 x 2031 px.] |
