Vajra Bhairava, terrifying and wrathful, dark blue in colour, has 9 faces, 32 hands and 16 legs. The main face is that of a buffalo, with a red face above and the slightly angry yellow face of Manjushri placed on top. The horn tips are flaming. The three right faces are yellow, dark blue and red and the three left are black, white and smoky. Each face has three round eyes, bared fangs and various frightful expressions; orange hair flows upward like flames. The first pair of hands hold a curved knife and skullcup embracing the consort. The remaining hands hold a variety of objects with the 2nd set holding in addition the fresh outstretched hide of an elephant. He is adorned with bone ornaments and a necklace of fifty heads. Embracing the lord is Vajra Vetali with one face and two hands holding a skullcup in the left. The right legs are bent pressing down on a man, animals and various gods. The left legs are extended straight and press upon eight birds and various gods; standing above a sun disc and multi-coloured lotus completely surrounded by the orange and red flames of pristine awareness. In front of the lotus seat are two skullcups filled with various offerings.

At the top center is a Lord Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), with the two hands in the Dharma teaching mudra holding the stems of two lotus blossoms supporting a sword and book. On a lotus blossom, seated in vajra posture, he wears a yellow pandita hat and monastic robes. At either each side are the two main students, Gyaltsab and Khedrup, both seated on cushions.

At the upper right side is Chaturmukha Mahakala, black, standing, with four faces and four hands holding a curved knife and skullcup in the first pair and a sword and spear in the second pair; guardian of the Guhyasamaja Tantra. Below that is Baiktse Chen, red, with one face and two hands holding a sword, heart and spear. To the left side is the wealth deity, White Mahakala, with one face and six hands. Below that is the Lokapala (Direction Guardian) Vaisravana, yellow in colour, with one face and two hands holding a banner and mongoose; riding a snow lion.

At the bottom center is Sadbhuja Mahakala (the Great Black One with Six Hands), an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, black, wrathful and surrounded by flames. To the left is the special protector of the Vajra Bhairava Tantras, Yama Dharmaraja, black, with the head of a buffalo, holding a bone stick and lasso. Embraced by the consort Chamundi. They ride on the back of a blue buffalo; surrounded by flame. These last three deities were the special protectors of Tsongkhapa and so became the main protectors for the Gelugpa School. To the right is Palden Magzor Gyalmo (the Glorious Goddess Queen of the weapon Army), black with one face and two hands holding a stick and skullcup, riding a white mule; wrathful Sarasvati.

As a tutelary deity Vajra Bhairava, also known as Yamantaka, belongs to the Yamari class of tantras and specifically arises from the Bhairava Root Tantra (Tibetan: Jig je tsa gyu). All of those belong to the method (father) classification of Anuttaryoga Tantra. The practice of Bhairava is common to the three Sarma Schools: Sakya, Kagyu and Gelugpa. There are numerous forms and styles of practice from the very complex with numerous deities to the very concise with a single Heruka form. The main lineages to enter Tibet were those of Jowo Atisha, Rwa Lotsawa, Mal Lotsawa and the like.

This form of Bhairava with the central faces placed 3 vertically and 3 faces to each side arranged horizontally is unique to the Gelugpa School and true to a visionary experience of Lord Tsongkhapa the founder.

J.Watt 7-98