Chakrasamvara

Chakrasamvara, whose name translates to Wheel or Circle of Bliss, is a Buddhist deity associated with esoteric tantric faith. He appears here in ecstatic union with his consort, the yogini Vajravarahi. Their union symbolises wisdom (prajna, Sanskrit) and compassion (karuna, Sanskrit). In the enlightened state, these two vital qualities are indivisible. The twelve arms of Chakrasamvara symbolise twelve connected elements that complete the cycle of life. The demons underfoot indicate the squashing of ignorance, and the garland of freshly severed heads symbolises victory over ego and selfishness. Although based on long-established iconography, the colours used in this painting, and the individual characteristics or each face in the garland, present a contemporary approach to the representation.