Indian and Himalayan Art Herukas and Classes of SpiritsMade in
Tibet, Asia Nyingma, c. 19th century Artist/maker unknown,
Tibetan Colors on cloth; cloth mountings Currently not on view
1958-164-1Gift of Stella Kramrisch, 1958 LabelThe term "Heruka"
--like its etymological cousin "Herculean"--denotes a type of
deity. In a Buddhist context, a Heruka is a heroic, wrathful
form adopted by a deity to assist devotees in breaking through
ignorance. The monk portraits at the top of this painting
represent individuals who promoted teachings about, and worship
of, the central deity, whose peaceful form is Vajradhara (seen
kissing his consort in the top center). The wild figures
surrounding the central couple represent entire classes of
spirits associated with mortal and spiritual dangers-such as
epilepsy, cannibalism, and delusion-that can be controlled
through proper worship of the appropriate Heruka.