An antique, 19th Centuryor earlier (much earlier) tsakli painting depicting four deities representing the rituals of subjugation - the iron hook or goad, rope noose, iron chain and ritual bell (ghanta). They are held by the 4 guardian goddesses of the gateways of Vaishravana's mandala. The iron hook, or goad (ankusha) held in the left wisdom hand
symbolises mental alertness and clear understanding - the hooking of negativities or evil beings and driving them from samsara towards liberation.
The lasso or rope noose symbolises mindfulness or clear recollection - it represents the binding wisdom or true awareness into the minds of sentient beings or the binding of the highest wisdom into the mind of the tantric practitioner.
The iron or vajra chain - the ritual weapon of subjugation which binds the ankles and arms of the imprisoned or captive effigy of the subjugated spirit or demon rendering him harmless.
The bell (ghanta) 'proclaiming the sound of emptiness' which arises from the voidness of its form, radiates in all directions and disappears back into silence or emptiness. 8 lines of Tibetan text with 1 red illumination, and 1 syllable to reverse. 9.1x12.5cm