Explaining Nairatmya

Nairatmya is a yogini who is the consort of Hevajra in the Hevajra-tantra.  Nairaymya is an embodiment of the Buddhist philosophical concept of anatman. Vajra Nairatmya and Shri Virupa malformed, Ugly One along with the ‘Extensive Lineage’ of Indian gurus of the Hevajra Tantra.

The life of Nairatmya

In this section, we will learn about the life of Nairatmya. And after that, we will learn about the short etymological description of the Nairatmya.

Etymology of Nairatmya

Nairatmya is known as dor Je dag me ma in Tibetan. The meaning of Nairatmya is Selfless in English.

Previously, we learn about the life of Nairatmya. Now we are going to learn about the iconography of Nairatmya.

Iconography of the Nairatmya

In the iconography of Nairatmya, we will learn about her body posture, hand, and leg gesture and different representation of Nairatmya in thangka and statue.

Stance of the Nairatmya

Vajra Nairatmya is a female who is dark blue in color. Vajra Nairatmya is with one face and two hands which is holding a curved knife and skullcup at the heart with a katvanga staff resting against the left shoulder.

Vajra Nairatmya is adorned with a tiara of skulls, bone ornaments, and a skirt of tiger skin. she is in a semi-wrathful appearance, seated on a sun disc, multi-colored lotus, and throne.

Previously, we learn about the life of Nairatmya and the iconography of Nairatmya. Now we are going to learn about depicting Nairatmya.

Depicting Nairatmya Thangka

The thangka of Nairatmya is from Tibet. It is made in between 1500 AD to 1599 AD. Nairatmya is from Sakya Lineage. The size of the painting is 60.96×44.45cm. Ground Mineral Pigment on cotton and fine gold is used to color this thangka. Presently this painting is in the Rubin Museum of Art.

By depicting this thangka we will learn about the presentation of Nairatya with Shri Virupa, and Three Smaller figures, etc.

The central figure at the left of the thangka is Vajra Nairatmya who is known as the consort of Shri Hevajra.

Shri Virupa

Shri Virupa is seated to the right of the thangka. Shri Virupa is dark brown in color who performs a wrathful gesture with the right hand and holds a skullcup with the left. Shri Virupa is adorned with flowers, a meditation belt, and the Hevajra Tantra text tied in the top-knot of hair on the crown of the head.

Shri Virupa has the appearance of an Indian Mahasiddha who is seated on a leopard skin atop a lotus and throne.

Three Smaller figures

Three Smaller figures are directly above the heads of the two central subjects in the thangka. At the far left of the thangka, there is a seated Mahasiddha. And in the center a dancing Vajra Nairatmya who is blue in color with one face and four hands.

Virupa is again included, placed third from the right next to one of his main students, Dombi Heruka, riding a tiger.

Previously, we learn about the life of Nairatmya, the iconography of Nairatmya, and depicting Nairatmya. Now we are going to learn about the presentation of Nairatmya with Samputa.

Nairatmya with Samputa Thangka

The thangka of Nairatmya with Samputa is from Tibet. This painting is made in between 1400 – 1499 AD. Niratmya is from Sakya and Ngor Lineage. It is from Anna Maria Rossi & Fabio Rossi collection.

By depicting this thangka we will learn about the presentation of Nairatmya.

Nairatmya is with four armed Fifteen Deity thangka based on the Samputa Tantra. Vajra Nairatmya is with a body that is black in color. Vajra Nairatmya has one face and two hands.

The right hand of Vajra Nairatmya holds aloft a curved knife and the left a skullcup to the heart.  And Vajra Nairatmya is carrying a katvanga in the bend of the elbow. Vajra Nairatmya is having three eyes and bared fangs.

Previously, we learn about the life of Nairatmya, the iconography of Nairatmya, depicting Nairatmya, and the representation of Nairatmya with Samputa. Now we are going to learn about the presentation of Nairatmya with Hevajra.

Nairatmya with Hevajra Thangka

The thangka of Nairatmya is from Tibet. It is made in between 1500 AD to 1599 AD. Nairatmya is from Sakya, Ngor (Sakya), and Buddhist Lineage. Ground Mineral Pigment on cotton is used to color this thangka. This painting is from Navin Kumar collection.

By depicting this thangka we will learn about the presentation of Nairatmya.

Vajra Nairatmya is surrounded by the teachers of the Meditation Beyond Thought Lineage. Vajra Nairatmya as a meditational deity is from the Hevajra and Samputa Tantras. Both early and important texts of the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism.

Nairatmya is a meditational deity and partner to Hevajra. There are many different forms and combinations of forms for the two deities, alone, or as a couple in ecstatic embrace.

Previously, we learn about the life of Nairatmya, the iconography of Nairatmya, depicting Nairatmya, and the representation of Nairatmya with Samputa. And finally, we learn about the presentation of Nairatmya with Hevajra.

Buddha Vairochana Thangka

Buddha Vairochana is regarded as one of the five Dhyani Buddha in Nepalese-Tibetan Buddhism.

Buy Buddha Vairochana Thangka