16_Vajrapāṇi

Visually, the two represent different visual concepts. While the goddess is shown as a benevolent mother goddess, the bodhisattva reflects physical violence. As Trailokyavijaya (Victorious in the Three Worlds) he is subduing Śiva who is then depicted as crouching under his feet. When the Mongols adopted Buddhism during the Yuan Dynasty, they made his wrathful form a major protector. The vajra he holds – or rather wields – symbolises the adamantine, unbreakable truth and power. Once established, Vajrapāṇi kept his wrathful form in northern Buddhism also during the following Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Skušek Vajrapāṇi exactly represents this form. The posture is aggressive with the right knee bent though this is hard to recognise because of the bulky shape of his body and the garlands of skulls and demon heads. In addition, he has a long snake girdle. Likewise hard to see is the loincloth made of tiger skin. Only the tail is very clear and the front legs which are suspended from the knot just below the navel. Vajrapāṇi‘s facial expression is pure wrath with the three eyes wide open, the eyebrows and the fangs. His head is inclined towards his left while his hair is pointing upwards towards the right like a fire blaze. The red painted eyes of the skulls in the crown look like round lights – thereby creating an imagery that reminds on an owl rather than a human skull. He tramples on two snakes on a lotus pedestal.