Mahākāla (Sanskrit) is a Dharmapala ("protector of dharma") in Vajrayana Buddhism, and a deity in Chinese andJapanese Buddhism, particularly in the Vajrayana school. He is known as Daheitian (大黑天) in Chinese andDaikokuten (大黒天) in Japanese. Mahākāla belongs to the fourth hierarchy of deities.
In Hinduism, Mahakala is a name of Shiva (as, for example, at the Shiva temple in Ujjain that is more than once mentioned by Kālidāsa), but it is also a name of one of his principal attendants (Sanskrit: gaṇa): along withNandi, which is one of Shiva's watchmen, and so is often represented outside the main doorway of early North Indian temples.
Six-Armed Mahākāla
Nyingshuk came from Khyungpo Naljor, the founder of the Shangpa Kagyu, and spread to all the lineages—Sakya, Nyingma, and Geluk, as well as various Kagyu lineages. There are also Terma lineages of various forms of Six Armed Mahākāla. Nyinghsuk, though derived from the Shangpa, is not the major Shangpa one—it's in a dancing posture, rather than standing straight up, and is a very advanced Mahakala practice.
There is also a White Six-Armed Mahakala (Skt: Shad-bhuja Sita Mahakala; Tib. Wylie: mGon po yid bzhin nor bu) popular among Mongolian Gelugpas.
Four-Armed Mahākāla
Various Four-armed Mahākālas (Skt. Chatur-bhuja Mahākāla, Tib. Wylie: mGon po phyag bzhi pa) are the primary protectors of the Karma Kagyu,Drikung Kagyu and the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. A four-armed Mahākāla is also found in the Nyingma school, although the primary protector of the Great Perfection (Skt: Mahasandhi, Tib. Dzogchen) teachings which are the pinnacle of the Nyingma system which.
Two-Armed Mahākālas
The two-armed Mahākāla called Bernakchen (Black Coat) is a protector of the Karma Kagyu school, although he derives from Nyingma terma and was adopted by the Karma Kagyu during the time of 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi. He is often depicted with his consort Rangjung Gyalmo. (He is often thought to be the primary protector, but he is actually the main protector of the Karmapas specifically. Mahākāla Chakshipa, a four-armed mahakala, is technically the primary protector. Chakdrupa, a six-armed mahakala, is also common in the Kagyu.)
Panjaranatha Mahākāla, "Lord of Charms" or "Lord of the Pavilion", an emanation of Manjushri is a protector of the Sakya order.
8 inch Mahakala Mask
