Early Tibetan Cakrasamvara Mandala. This painting depicts the mandala of Samvara, "the wheel of great bliss." At its center, the god Samvara embraces his consort, Vajravarahi ("the Adamantine Sow"). The god appears in his four-faced, twelve-armed form. Two arms stretch an elephant skin behind him, others hold the hand drum, hatchet, chopper, trident, ceremonial staff, skullcup, noose, and head of the Hindu god Brahma; he grasps the bell and vajra as he embraces vajravarahi...
