Vajrabhairava Yamantaka

19th century

This thangka, or painting on cloth, shows the multi-headed, multi-limbed, buffalo-horned god Vajrabhairava stomping on his enemies. Barely visible against him is his similarly fierce (and blue) female partner, Vajravetali. Vajrabhairava is one of Buddhism’s most intimidating deities. His worship is only for advanced practitioners. His alternate name, Yamantaka (Conqueror of Death), celebrates his role in combatting both the fear of mortality and mortality itself.