Understanding Simhanada Avalokiteshvara
Simhanada Avalokiteshvara, or spyan-ras-gzigs-seng-ge-sgra in Tibetan, is a significant yidam in Tibetan Buddhism. Moreover, he is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. He is a personal deity for practitioners. His peaceful and benevolent appearance is notable. He often wears a flower garland crown. Also, he is adorned with precious jewels and necklaces. His hair flows over his shoulders. His upper body is bare, with flowing garments. He sits on a lotus throne in a relaxed pose. His right leg is bent inwards and the left slightly extended. Below him, a white lion roars with an open mouth. Additionally, he’s shown with two or six arms. A key identifier is a trident with a snake or his hand rests on his knee. Also, he may hold a lotus supporting a sword of wisdom.
The Power of Kurukulla
Kurukulla, known as Rigjyema in Tibetan, embodies authority. In addition, she signifies the power of subjugation. She is an emanation of the red form of Tara. She is also one of the twenty-one Taras. She is a powerful goddess in Tibetan Buddhism. Her body is a vibrant red. She has three eyes and four arms. Her golden hair flows upward fiercely. She holds a lotus, a hook axe, a bow, and an arrow. Moreover, she is posed as if shooting. She wears a tiger skin skirt and a necklace of heads. She is adorned with a skull crown and jewels. Her feet tread upon a demon. A fiery aura emphasizes her power and authority.
Kurukulla grants authority and the power of attraction. Her sixteen-year-old beauty and red body signify subjugation. In other words, she represents captivating all beings. Her fierce expression subdues hindrances. Her one face embodies Dharma. Her three eyes represent insight into time. Her four arms symbolize attainments. Additionally, they represent loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The flower, arrow, hook, and snare represent natural control. Furthermore, they show her ability to subjugate all realms. Her merits span three realms, enabling effortless task completion. Thus, she is called “The Dakini Free in the Three Realms”.
Hayagriva: The Horse-Necked Protector
Hayagriva, meaning “horse neck,” is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. He takes a wrathful form. He helps practitioners overcome obstacles. Although terrifying, his wrath stems from compassion, not anger. Known as “Tamdrin” in Tibetan, his horse head is his key feature. The Sanskrit name also refers to a deity in the Womb Realm Mandala. Some consider him the wrathful form of Amitabha Buddha. Also, he is likened to the Lion of Fearlessness Avalokiteshvara. He is lord of the animal realm. Moreover, Avalokiteshvara is his self-nature. The horse head gives him his name. Hayagriva is also the Horse Great Being. He is also called the Horse King. He is the Horse-Headed Vidyaraja. He is part of the Lotus family among five Vidyarajas. He is like the Universal Monarch’s horse. This horse conquers foes in all directions. He represents the effort to traverse samsara. Also, he vanquishes maras and ignorance.
Hayagriva can appear in single or dual forms. The dual form often has three heads and six arms. On the other hand, the single form may have one face and two arms. Some forms include wings. Also, some do not. He wears a skull necklace. A tiger-skin loincloth girds his waist. He has three round eyes. Snakes decorate his wrists, hands, knees, and neck. His hands hold skull cups, ropes, snakes, and skull staves. A key feature is the one or three green horse heads. Some forms also have a snake on his head.
Dorje Legpa: From Local Deity to Protector
Dorje Legpa, also named “Vajrasadhu,” was a local deity of Tibet. However, Guru Rinpoche subjugated him. Then, he became a protector of Buddhism. Originally, he was a wrathful deity, dark red or black. He rides a brown goat or a white lion. He has one face, three eyes, and bared teeth. Poisonous mist comes from his mouth. His hair is like fire. He has two hands. His right hand holds a nine-pronged iron vajra. Also, his left hand holds a human heart, which he brings to his mouth. He wears red silk robes and a purplish-brown hat. A tiger skin quiver hangs on his right side. Additionally, a leopard skin quiver hangs from his left side. His appearance is quite terrifying.
His main emanation is “Garwa Nagpo.” This means “the one with the mark of a blacksmith”. This emanation is dark blue with one face and two arms. His right hand wields a flaming copper hammer. In addition, his left holds a black bellows. He wears a dark blue hat and a billowing black silk robe.
Yamantaka: The Vajra Terrifier
Yamantaka, or Vajrabhairava, is one of the four great yidams. He is revered for defeating evil. Furthermore, he is known as the Great Terror. His Sanskrit name is “Yamantaka”. In Tibetan, he is called “Dorje Jigje”. This means “The Vajra Terrifier.” He conquered death by subjugating Yama. Moreover, he is a wrathful form of Manjushri Bodhisattva.
Yamantaka appears in various forms, from two to thirty-four arms. The 34-armed dual-form is most representative. He has nine heads and two bull horns. He has 34 arms and 16 legs. He embraces his consort, standing on a lotus. He treads on sixteen beings, including humans, animals, and birds. His 34 hands hold bells, vajras, knives, swords, and more. Each symbolizes a different aspect of power. They represent courage and strength. Also, they show ultimate power.
His nine faces represent Buddha’s teachings. His hair points upward. This symbolizes the path to Buddhahood. Furthermore, his thirty-four arms represent aspects of enlightenment. This includes mindfulness, right exertions, and miraculous power. In addition to the five faculties, five powers, and seven factors of enlightenment. Also, it includes the eightfold noble path. These elements combined make him a powerful figure. His image is complex and represents the path to enlightenment.
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