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The Buddhist deity Vajrabhairava
The Buddhist deity Vajrabhairava

The Buddhist deity Vajrabhairava

Place of Origin
  • Tibet
Dateapprox. 1700-1800
MaterialsColors on cotton
DimensionsH. 57 in x W. 30 in, H. 144.8 cm x W. 76.2 cm (overall)
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60D6+
DepartmentHimalayan Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
More Information
Vajrabhairava, with his fierce heads and weaponry, is a mirror image of Yama, the God of Death. To see Vajrabhairava (“The Diamond Terrifier of Death”) is to see what Death sees when he looks in the mirror. In that vision, you might say Death was scared to death. He vowed henceforth to serve the cause of Buddhism by emphasizing the importance of practicing now, in this very life.