The Five Foremost Deities of the Individual
OWNER ORGANIZATION
Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts 7293-2593
DESCRIPTION
Depicted in this painting are the five personal protectors (T. ’go ba’i lha), who dwell within a person’s body throughout life. In the centre is Mo lha, who lives in the left armpit. An attractive maternal protective deity, who wears a jewelled crown and blue silk robe, she sits sideways on a female deer, holding an arrow decorated with five coloured silk ribbons in her right hand and a divination mirror in her left. The five protectors are attendants of Vajrapāṇi, so this deity is portrayed above Mo lha. In the four corners are the remaining ’go ba’i lha, all youthful and heroic, holding various attributes and riding horses. Clockwise from the top left are Yul lha, who lives on the crown of the head and protects the country; dGra lha, who lives on the right shoulder and protects from enemies; Srog lha, who lives in the heart and is the birth guardian and protector of life; and Pho lha, who lives in the right armpit and is the paternal protector. Below are various offerings to the five deities — the eight auspicious emblems, the five sensory offerings, a dish of bilva fruit, jewels and assorted weapons. Surrounding Mo lha are different animals including a snow lion, tiger, wolf, deer and the five animals of Mongolia. Each of the latter wears five coloured ribbons, signifying that they are consecration gifts to the deities. This group of five personal protectors is especially popular in the Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhist tradition. However, it is believed that the cult of ’Go ba’i lha has its origins in pre-Buddhist beliefs. They prolong health, wealth and happiness.
