In the center of this painting blue-skinned Yogambara embraces his consort, Jnanadakini, astride a white lion. Their names indicate that he harnesses and encompasses her supernatural knowledge. Worship of this powerful couple is believed to reward devotees with great influence as well as material and spiritual wealth. The brightly patterned cloths around the divine couple's legs and on the front of their throne reflect this affluence, as do the eight golden pillars that separate the figures in the bottom register. The cloth patterns and pillar shapes are found in many Malla period paintings from the thirteenth through sixteenth centuries.

Click here to view full image (1270 × 1536 pixels, 755 KB)

all text & images © The Philadelphia Museum of Art