Page from a Vajrayana Buddhist Manuscript Depicting a Grahamatrka who Presides over Saturday

Currently not on view

Page from a Vajrayana Buddhist Manuscript Depicting a Grahamatrka who Presides over Saturday

c. 1400-1500

Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese

Buddhists revere manuscripts like this one as embodiments of Vajrayana Buddhist wisdom. The deity in the center is the three-headed form of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, holding a sword, lotus, bow, and arrow. Manjushri is the patron Bodhisattva of wisdom in Nepal. The text includes mantras (sacred incantations) written in Sanskrit.

Bodhisattvas are "enlightened beings" who have vowed to help all beings attain salvation before entering Nirvana themselves.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Page from a Vajrayana Buddhist Manuscript Depicting a Grahamatrka who Presides over Saturday
Vajrayana Buddhist Manuscript of the Deities affilated with Days of the Week, Saptavara Manuscript

Date:

c. 1400-1500

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese

Medium:

Colors and ink on yellow-colored paper

Dimensions:

2 3/4 x 13 1/4 inches (7 x 33.7 cm)

Classification:

Books/Manuscripts/Information Artifacts

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lessing J. Rosenwald, 1959

Accession Number:

1959-93-90(2a,b)

Geography:

Made in Nepal, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Malla Dynasty (1200-1769)

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view