The Dharmapala Yamantaka Pillow

Yamantaka, in northern Buddhism, is one of the eight fierce protective deities (dharmapalas). Worship of dharmapalas was initiated in the 8th century by the magician-saint Padmasambhava, who is said to have conquered the malevolent deities in Tibet and forced them to take an oath promising to protect Buddhists and the Buddhist faith. Mahakala is another of the Tibetan protector deities or dharmapalas.