The Buddhist guardian Dralha

Dralha means literally “enemy god,” and in this manifestation his warlike but protective nature is on full display. Radiating a rainbow halo, Dralha manifests in a cloud of smoke and thunder. Around him muster his fellow warriors, while hostile forces flee from the incursion below.

Since the “enemy gods” are thought to have been brought to heel by the great sorcerer Padmasambhava, the mighty Tibetan exorcist appears above his head at the far left of the line of masters who appear at the top of this painting.

At the bottom, a standard pile of jewel offerings is supplemented by a full martial panoply, emphasizing Dralha’s function and nature as an oath-bound protector.