Bronze statuette of Yamantaka - Tibetan Yab yum

This form of Yamantaka is one of the principal deities of the ancient and recent father tantras, particularly venerated in the Sakya and Gelugpa schools.

This form is complex, with nine heads, thirty-four arms and sixteen legs. Topped with the peaceful yellow head of Manjushri, an angry red head emerges from the central head of the blue-black buffalo. On the right are three faces - yellow, blue and red - and on the left are three more - dark red, white and dark green.

Its massive blue-black body is adorned with a garland of fifty skulls and bone ornaments. Its multiple arms are laden with attributes: cleaver, phurba, peacock feathers, pestle, razor, spear, hatchet, javelin, arrow, iron hook, skull staff, khatvanka, cogwheel, vajra, hammer, sword, damaru and elephant skin on the right; and skull cup filled with blood, fourfold head of Brahma, shield, foot, lace, bow, entrails, bell, arm, piece of shroud, impaled man, dharmodaya (triangular box), skull cup, mudra of threat, trident, banner and elephant skin on the left.

Its sixteen feet trample animals and figures, each carrying its own meaning. On the right, a man, a buffalo, an elephant, a donkey, a camel, a dog, a sheep, a fox, under which are the gods Brahma, Indra, Rahula and Rudra. On the left, a vulture, an owl, a crow, a parrot, a falcon, a heron, a rooster and a swan, under which are Kumara, Ganesh, the sun and the moon.

Yamantaka is united with his mystical wife Vajra Vetalî blue and sits enthroned on a lotus with a sun cushion, surrounded by a terrible blaze.

Each attribute, each detail of this form is charged with a precise meaning:

1. Nine heads : Represent the ability to perceive the nine basic emotions simultaneously, as well as the transcendence of these emotions to achieve a state of equanimity.
2. Thirty-four arms : Symbol of omniscience and the ability to perform many beneficial actions simultaneously.
3. Sixteen legs : Represent stability in all situations, as well as the ability to move quickly to rescue beings.
4. Yellow head of Manjushri : Represents transcendent wisdom and ultimate knowledge.
5. Irritated red head emerging from the central head of the blue-black buffalo : Symbolizes righteous, controlled anger, used to destroy ignorance and obstacles to awakening.
6. Three faces on the right (yellow, blue and red) : Represent the three bodies of the Buddha (reality body, enjoyment body, emanation body) and the three poisons of the mind (ignorance, desire, aversion).
7. Three faces on the left (dark red, white and dark green) : Symbolize the three benevolent activities of body, speech and mind for the benefit of all beings.
8. Garland of Fifty Skulls and Bone Ornaments : Evokes the transcendence of the fear of death and the realization of the emptiness of all phenomenal form.
9. Multiple arms on the right : Carry various attributes that represent the destruction of negative forces and the establishment of enlightenment, as well as the protection of practitioners.
10. Multiple arms on the left : Represent the offering of blessings and benefits to practitioners, as well as the purification of negative emotions.
11. Feet trampling animals and people : Symbolize domination over negative forces and obstacles, as well as protection of practitioners.
12. Union with blue Vajra Vetalî : Represents the unity of transcendent wisdom (Vajra) with primordial energy (Vetalî), leading to complete awakening.
13. Throne on a lotus with sun cushion : Evokes purity and transcendence of all dualities.
14. Surrounded by a terrible blaze : Symbol of purification of disturbing emotions and obstacles to awakening.