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Collections

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The Jina Buddha Ratnasambhava (top), Goddess Mahasitavati or Mahamayuri (middle), Goddess Mahasahasrapramardini (bottom), Three Folios from a Pancharaksha (Five Protections)early 13th century

Not on view
Painted manuscript cover with a central illuminated panel showing a seated Buddha figure flanked by attendants, surrounded by geometric border and Indic script on a slate-blue ground
Illuminated manuscript folio on dark blue ground, with a central painted panel depicting a multi-armed deity in orange mandorla flanked by seated figures and foliage, surrounded by columns of Devanagari script; two binding holes pierce the folio horizontally.
Illustrated manuscript folio with dark ground and rows of Devanagari script, centered painted vignette depicting a multi-armed blue deity within a red aureole, flanked by smaller attendant figures, framed by a red and white floral border.

Unknown, Buddha Shakyamuni, folio from a Pancharaksha (Five Protective Charms), early 13th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase, photo © Museum Associates / LACMA

Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
The Jina Buddha Ratnasambhava (top), Goddess Mahasitavati or Mahamayuri (middle), Goddess Mahasahasrapramardini (bottom), Three Folios from a Pancharaksha (Five Protections)
Place Made
Nepal
Date Made
early 13th century
Medium
Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions
Image: 2 5/8 x 6 1/2 in. (6.67 x 16.51 cm) each; Sheet: 2 5/8 x 16 1/2 in. (6.67 x 41.91 cm)
Credit Line
From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase
Accession Number
M.72.1.25a-c
Classification
Manuscripts
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes

The Pancharaksha (Five Protections) is a Vajrayana Buddhist text particularly revered in Nepal that presents five incantations against worldly harm. By the 11th century, the incantations were personified as the five dharani (that which supports) protective goddesses. They are also considered to be protective emanations of the Jina Buddhas who can be invoked against specific illnesses and dangers. The goddesses and their specific protections are as follows:
Mahapratisara, protection against illnesses and evils.
Mahasahasrapramardini, protection against demons.
Mahamayuri, protection against serpents
Mahasitavati, protection against vicious animals and dangerous insects.
Mahamantranusarini, protection against diseases.

The three folios from this dispersed manuscript illustrate the Jina Buddha Ratnasambhava (M.72.1.25a), Mahasitavati or Mahamayuri (M.72.1.25b), and Mahasahasrapramardini (M.72.1.25c).

Selected Bibliography
  • Huntington, Susan L. and John C.. Huntington. Leaves from the Bodhi Tree: The Art of Pala India (8th - 12th centuries) and Its International Legacy. Dayton, OH: The Dayton Art Institute in Association with the University of Washington Press, 1990.
  • Rosenfield, John. The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Art of Nepal. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1985.
  • Larson, Gerald et al. In Her Image: The Great Goddess in Indian Asia and the Madonna in Christian Culture. Santa Barbara: UCSB Art Museum, University of California, 1980.
  • Keene, Bryan C., editor. Toward a Global Middle Ages: Encountering the World Through Illuminated Manuscripts. Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum, 2019.
  • Little, Stephen, and Tushara Bindu Gude. Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art across Asia. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2025.