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A PAUBHA OF ACHALA AND VISHVAVAJRI
NEPAL, EARLY 18TH CENTURY
Distemper and gold on cloth.
Himalayan Art Resources item no. 89057
Image: 29 3/4 x 23 2/3 in. (75.5 x 60 cm)

$80,000 - 120,000

尼泊爾 十八世紀早期 不動明王雙身像博巴

Emblazoned against a halo of red and orange flames is Achala, who is illustrated in
his iconic earth-kneeling pose while trampling a quatrain of Hindu deities (Vishnu,
Indra, Shiva, and Brahma). Wielding the sword of wisdom and a vajra-tipped
lasso, Achala embraces his female consort Vishvavajri, Adamantine Fury, who
wraps both of her legs around his waist. Achala and Vishvavajri are the principal
meditational deities of the Chandamaharoshana Tantra, a text classified under
the Highest Yoga Tantras (anuttarayoga tanta). As such, Achala is also known as
Chandamaharoshana and is regarded as the enlightened embodiment of truth,
answering questions posed by his consort in the course of their sexual union. This
same tantra also describes a host of retinue deities, four of whom are located at
the corners of this painting: Yellow Achala of the South, Red Achala of the West,
Green Achala of the North, and White Achala of the East. Furthermore, Achala’s
appellation as the Immovable One forms a connection with the Cosmic Buddha
Akshobya, who is located at the apex of the mandorla. Although Achala’s name
as Chandamaharoshana reflects his terrifying nature as the Remover of Obstacles
and the Destroyer of all Evils, he is portrayed here with relaxed brows and softened
eyes in emphasis of his benevolent role.

Made by a Newari artist, this paubha reflects the style and iconography
characteristic of Buddhist art from the Late Malla period of Nepal (1482-1769).
Achala enjoyed long-lasting worship among Newar Buddhist communities as a
protector deity with the powers of healing, magic, and the purification of diseases.
Moreover, Achala is regarded as the exoteric form of Chakrasamvara, whose
depiction could be displayed both publicly and in private, esoteric shrines as the
deity invoked prior to the empowerment rituals of Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi.
For examples of paubhas depicting Achala and his consort, see one from the
Zimmerman Family Collection and now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York (2012.456), as well as another from the John and Berthe Ford
Collection in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore (Pal, Desire and Devotion,
2001, p. 223, no. 129).

Published
Hugo Kreijger, Kathmandu Valley Painting: The Jucker Collection, Boston, 1999,
p. 64, no. 19.

Provenance
Dr. Ernst ‘Mischa’ and Angela Jucker Collection
Sotheby’s, New York, 28 March 2006, lot 25

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