Because his worship is very popular among Tibetan and Mongolian nomads, Mahakala (the Great Black One) is popularly referred to as the "Lord of the Pavilion." According to Tibetan texts, this form of Mahakala stands on top of a defeated enemy amongst a swirling sea of flames. His right hand lifts a chopper, while his left hand holds a skull cup full of blood. Resting across his arms is a magic club, his most distinctive attribute in this form. The club is derived from the wooden gongs used to call monks to assembly and symbolizes Mahakala’s role as the protector of the famed Nalanda monastery in eastern India, and hence, all Buddhist monasteries. To the upper right of Mahakala, the great protectress of the Buddhist religion, Palden Lhamo (Glorious Goddess; Sanskrit: Shri Devi), is depicted in her emanation as the fierce goddess Ekajata. Below Ekajata are Palden Lhamo’s four-armed black-and-blue forms. To the upper left of Mahakala is portrayed the wrathful Bhutadamara form of Vajrapani. At the center left is Legden Nagpo, while to the lower left is Mahakala in his emanation as a Brahmin. The five dancing figures in front of Mahakala represent his four ministers: the Yaksha Kshetrapala holding a magic dagger and heart, Takkiraja holding a sword and skull cup, Jinamitra breathing flames from his mouth, and Traksad and a ferocious goddess hold a skull cup and chopper. The heirarchs of the Sakyapa lineage and various Indian ascetics flank the Buddha Vajradhara along the top of the painting.
The inscription in the bottom border reads:
With the aid of Thubwang Dorjechang and other protectors of the religion, Dokhams Gaziba, as one who listens to teaching, has set up this picture so that all creatures under the sky, headed by the father and grandfather of Onpo Khyenrab, may be purged of the two sins and attain fulfillment in the two spheres. By its merit may they soon win complete knowledge. Ewan (Ngor Monastery) Chosje performed the consecration of the image. The Zong of (illegible)-sin Tashi wishes good fortune. Blessing for all.
(Translation by H. E. Richardson.)
