28”x22” Kajupa Thangka Painting

Karzopa Mahakala - The Protector of Wisdom

Karzopa is an aspect of Mahakala, the great Dharma Defender. Also known as the Protector of Wisdom, Mahakala is a wrathful deity who courageously protects the Buddhist teachings and those who study them from harm and evil forces. Despite Mahakala's always terrifying appearance, he is a Bodhisattva, an embodiment of compassion who acts for the benefit of all sentient beings. His function is to avert the inner and outer obstacles that prevent practitioners from attaining spiritual realizations, as well as to foster the necessary conditions for their practice. It is said that by simply making a wish for protection to Mahakala, a sincere seeker's needs will be met.

Gestures and Attributes

Mahakala is depicted in a number of variations, each with different qualities and accoutrements. In most depictions, such as this one of Karzopa, he is shown wearing a crown of five skulls. These skulls represent the transmutation of the five poisons (greed, hatred, ignorance, pride, and jealousy) into the five transcendent wisdoms. He is also seen standing on two human corpses, thus symbolizing the death of negative patterns and emotions to such an extent that they will never return to life.

In his aspect as Karzopa, Mahakala has a number of other specific features with corresponding symbolism. His right hand holds the ritual curved knife, representing his ability to sever attachment to ego. His left hand holds a skull bowl filled with blood to signify his subjugation of evil forces. His trident symbolizes his power over the three kayas - the spheres of desire, form and formlessness. His lasso binds those who break their vows, while his three eyes attest to his knowledge of the past, present and future. The surrounding blazing fire represents his continuous activity that consumes neurotic states.