Late 19th-Century Western India (Rajasthan / Gujarat) Folk-Tantric Painting
Key Features
Ten Armed, Five-Headed Tantric Hanuman
This boldly coloured folk-Tantric painting presents Hanuman not merely as Rāma’s devoted servant but as a cosmic guardian. In this rare Pañcha-Mukha (Five-Faced) manifestation, he appears with the heads of:
Goose (Haṃsa) - purity, breath, and higher knowledge
Serpent (Nāga) - occult wisdom and kundalini power
Mule - burden-bearing endurance and stubborn force
Lion (Siṃha) - royal courage, authority, protective wrath
Horse (Aśva) - speed, life-force, and victorious energy
Together these signify command over the five elements, five prāṇas, and five directions of spiritual protection.
His ten arms radiate outward, each holding a symbolic weapon or ritual attribute—representing his all-encompassing power to protect, heal, destroy obstacles, and grant blessings.
A Complete Breakdown of the Objects in His Hands
(Described from left to right, in Tantric and folk symbolism)
Left Side (our left)
1. Trident with Flaming Banner
A Śaiva triśūla joined with a zig-zag victory flag.
Meaning: mastery over the three guṇas and three realms; a Tantric war-standard establishing divine authority.
2. Lotus Flower
The purity-symbol of consciousness rising from impurity.
Meaning: balances his fierceness with awakening, devotion, and inner clarity.
3. Small Curved Blade
Knife / axe / hooked weapon.
Meaning: cuts curses, spirits, karmic knots, and negative attachments.
4. Cluster of Small Ritual Objects
Seed-forms, vessels, mantra-implements.
Meaning: embodies Hanuman as lord of mantras, medicines, and occult healing.
5. Weapon Directed Toward the Demon Below
Downward club / blade.
Meaning: active subjugation of obstacles, enemies, and inner vices.
Right Side (our right)
6. Herb-Laden Mountain (Dronagiri)
The medicinal hill from the Rāmāyaṇa.
Meaning: supreme healer; bearer of life-restoring force.
7. Bouquet / Sacred Flowers
Ritual offering reversed-held by the deity himself.
Meaning: Hanuman both receives and grants devotion; circulation of blessings.
8. Pot (Kalaśa)
Sacred vessel containing amṛta or consecrated water.
Meaning: longevity, auspiciousness, fullness, and divine nourishment.
9. Gada (Club)
His divine weapon.
Meaning: unshakeable loyalty, strength, and annihilation of negativity.
10. Boon-Giving Gesture Toward the Attendant Figure
Small staff or blessing posture.
Meaning: protects the devotee, signalling the sādhaka’s safety in his aura.
Objects On and Around His Body
• Circular Disc on Chest
A yantra-space where mantras are mentally installed.
Meaning: Hanuman as a living, activated Tantric diagram.
• Garland of Animal Heads
Echoes the multi-element mastery of the five faces.
Meaning: total command over natural, vital, and subtle forces.
• Demons Under His Feet
Crushed adversaries / bhūtas.
Meaning: promises victory over enemies, fears, disease, and spiritual attack.
• Attendant Devotees
Small figures near his legs.
Meaning: visually model the devotee’s ideal posture of surrender and reliance.
Representation & Imagery
Folk-Tantric Visual Language
Strong outlines, flat colour planes, and stylized anatomy mark this as a ritual painting made for Tantric worship, not courtly refinement. Its purpose was efficacy, protection, and activation.
Colours & Symbolism
Red / Orange: devotion, life-force, and ritual heat (tapas)
Green: healing, herbs, vital energy
Black linework: containment and control of wild spiritual power
Forward-Striding Pose
He moves toward the viewer-crushing demons-creating a visual spell of active, advancing protection.
Why You’ll Love It
This rare depiction reveals Hanuman as protector, healer, destroyer of evil, giver of boons, and cosmic guardian all at once.
Perfect for:
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Tantric and Shaiva practitioners
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Hanuman devotees
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Folk-art collectors
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Ritual rooms, yoga spaces, meditation corners
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Anyone seeking protective, energising sacred imagery
The compact 14×14 format preserves the intimacy and force of the original painting while presenting it as a striking modern wall piece.
Order Now
Bring home this extraordinary late-19th-century Tantric image of Hanuman-vibrant, protective, and spiritually charged.
Printed on 350 GSM archival matte paper with museum-quality colour fidelity.
Available exclusively at The Soma Store.
