Public domain
Mahakala
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
The second guard at a Shiva temple is Mahakala, who stands on Shiva’s left side. His demonic characteristics – wild hair, bulging eyes and open mouth, a fat body and curled-up toes – make him the opposite of the graceful Nandishvara. It is likely that his left hand once rested on a club. His index finger points downwards, towards worshippers entering the temple.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineMahakala. c. 800 - c. 900. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
