This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Redtigerxyz (talk | contribs) at 08:29, 21 August 2016 (+). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:29, 21 August 2016 by Redtigerxyz (talk | contribs) (+)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | This article is actively undergoing a major edit for a little while. To help avoid edit conflicts, please do not edit this page while this message is displayed. This page was last edited at 08:29, 21 August 2016 (UTC) (8 years ago) – this estimate is cached, update. Please remove this template if this page hasn't been edited for a significant time. If you are the editor who added this template, please be sure to remove it or replace it with {{Under construction}} between editing sessions. |
 | This article or section is in a state of significant expansion or restructuring. You are welcome to assist in its construction by editing it as well. If this article or section has not been edited in several days, please remove this template. If you are the editor who added this template and you are actively editing, please be sure to replace this template with {{in use}} during the active editing session. Click on the link for template parameters to use.
This article was last edited by Redtigerxyz (talk | contribs) 8 years ago. (Update timer) |
Kali (left) and Chhinnamasta wear mundamalas. Kali wears one of freshly severed heads; while Chhinnamasta wears a skull-garland.
In Hindu iconography and Tibetan Buddhist iconography, mundamala (Template:Lang-sa, muṇḍamālā) or kapalamala is a garland of severed human heads and/or skulls.
Hindu iconography
Fearsome goddesses
The mundamala is often found in the iconography of the Mahavidyas, a group of ten fearsome Tantric goddesses. Kali, the foremost Mahavidya, often wears a garland of freshly decapitated heads. The blood from her bleeding garland bathes her nude body. The number of heads in the mundamala is generally described as fifty. Other Mahavidyas like Tara, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati and Matangi are depicted or at least described wearing mundamalas; the goddess may also hold a severed head or skull (kapala) in her hand. In description of Bhairavi, the heads are said to be so fresh that they vomit blood over her breasts.
Another fierce goddess depicted often wearing the mundamala is Chamunda.
Shiva
The god Shiva and his fierce manifestations are often depicted wearing the mundamala; Shiva is covered with ashes and skulls adore him. Pahari paintings often picture Shiva's family making mundamalas. His son Kartikeya helps him or his mother Parvati handing over a head, while the latter threads them. Another scene depicts the parents making the mundamala, while Kartikeya and his brother Ganesha play nearby.
The ferocious manifestation of Shiva, Bhairava ("The Terrible") as well as Bhairava's various forms like Vatuk-Bhairava are depicted wearing the mundamala. Other fierce forms of Shiva wearing the mundamalas include Virabhadra, Gajasurasamhara ("Slayer of the Elephant demon") and the eight-armed Aghoramurti.
Symbolism
The fifty or fifty-two heads or skulls in the mundamala are described to symbolize the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet in Kali's iconography, thus signifying the wearer Kali as sabda Brahman, Ultimate Reality recognized as Sound and the primal sound of the sacred syllable Om. Another interpretation links the mundamala symbolizing the heads of foes and demons slain by the wearer goddess in battle. The mundamala in the context of Chhinnamasta's iconography is said to signify her victory over Time and fear of Death.
In Shiva's iconography, the mundamala represents the continual creation and destruction cycles of human existence.
Buddhist iconography
Manifestations of Akshobhya are generally fearsome and are depicted wearing the mundamala as well as skulls and serpents. These include Acala, Heruka, Chakrasamvara and Yamantaka. Mahakala, who from adopted from the Hindu Shiva, also wears the mundamala.
Wrathful Buddhist goddesses like Marichi and dakinis are depicted wearing the mundamala.
Notes
- Kinsley p. 63
- Kinsley pp. 67-8
- Kinsley p. 98
- ^ Kinsley p. 153
- Kinsley p. 167
- Kinsley p. 180
- Kinsley p. 246
- Kinsley p. 171
- Art; Pal, Pratapaditya (1985). Art of Nepal: A Catalogue of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Collection. LACMA in association with University of California Press. pp. S32. ISBN 9780520054073.
- ^ Daniélou, Alain (1991). The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 218. ISBN 9780892813544.
- Storm p. 293
- Panthey, Saroj (1987). Iconography of Śiva in Pahāṛī Paintings. Mittal Publications. p. 61. ISBN 9788170990161.
- Rao p. 177, 179
- Rao p. 153
- Rao p. 186
- Rao p. 200-1
- Kinsley pp. 88-9
- Benard p. 105
- Donaldson pp. 219-222, 230
- Donaldson p. 230
- Donaldson pp. 304, 322
References
- Kinsley, David R. (1997). Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahāvidyās. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-20499-7.
- Benard, Elisabeth Anne (2000). Chinnamastā: The Aweful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-1748-7.
- Storm, Mary (2013). Head and Heart: Valour and Self-Sacrifice in the Art of India. New Delhi: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-81246-7.
- Rao, T.A. Gopinatha (1916). Elements of Hindu Iconography. Vol. 2: Part I. Madras: Law Printing House. OCLC 630452416.
- Donaldson, Thomas E. (2001-01-01). Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa: Text. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9788170174066.
- Huntington, John C.; Bangdel, Dina (2003-01-01). The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art. Serindia Publications, Inc. ISBN 9781932476019.