Rta mgrin (Hayagriva)

Tibet

18th century

Copper alloy, semi-precious stones

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A multi-headed, multi-armed bronze sculpture of a wrathful deity stands on a base, trampling figures. The deity has a fierce expression, elaborate headdress, and wings. In Tibetan Buddhist practice, buddhas and bodhisattvas can express benevolent and wrathful sides. Rta mgrin (Sanskrit: Hayagriva) is a wrathful emanation of Spyan ras gzigs (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara), the bodhisattva of compassion. Shown in <i>yabyum</i> (sexual embrace, or “father-mother”) pose with his female consort, Rta mgrin represents compassion; goddess Nges ‘byung (Sanskrit: Nairatmya) represents wisdom. The couple’s union symbolizes the essence of enlightenment, accessed by practitioners through concentrated meditation on such a deity. Gallery G255 Gift of Sa and Paul Budnitz