Dakini Mandarava

Mandarava (tib. mkhan dro man da ra va) is one of Guru Padmasambhava’s two main female students, and a female guru-deity in her own right. Born a princess in India, she renounced her royal background to practice the Dharma, and became a great teacher.

Mandarava is pictured here in deified form as a long-life practice. Here she appears in Sambhogakaya form, her body white with a shade of red, wearing the royal ornaments of a Bodhisattva. In her right hand she holds an arrow — dadar (a very powerful symbol of Dzogchen) adorned with banners and a melong (mirror, representing the clear and reflecting nature of mind).

Her left hand holds a long-life vase. She is shown standing in the beautiful dancing position and surrounded by four of her own emanations connected with elements.

Above her is Guru Padmasambhava in colorful tigle. Below Mandarava is the main guardian of the teaching ferocious protectress Ekajati.

This thangka was painted according to terma (hidden teaching), transmission and oral instructions of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu.