仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 3.542

3.542

Explanation: Regarding "vajra," as the Sanskrit text of the Vajraśekhara Yoga Sūtra brought by the tripiṭaka master says: "It possesses two meanings: solidity and utility." According to that commentary, the five bodhisattvas manifest different bodies based on two kinds of wheels: first, the wheel of Dharma (dharmacakra), manifesting the true body, because it is the body attained as the retribution of cultivated practices and vows; second, the wheel of command (ājñācakra), manifesting a wrathful body, because they manifest ferocity out of great compassion. This Vajrapāṇi is precisely the bodhisattva Samantabhadra. "Holding a vajra pestle in his hand" indicates that the correct wisdom he generates is like a vajra, able to sever the subtle obstacles of self and phenomena. Based on the wheel of command, he manifests the wrathful Trailokyavijaya Vajra, with three heads and eight arms, subduing the entire demonic army of Maheśvara, the great sovereign deva, in order to tame those who can harm the correct Dharma and torment sentient beings. "Radiating blue light" reveals his ability to banish the hosts of demons and the like. He has the Heavenly King Dhṛtarāṣṭra of the eastern direction, along with immeasurable hosts of gandharvas and piśācas, as his retinue. As for "four koṭis": regarding one koṭi, as Chapter 45, "Asaṃkhyeya," of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra says, "a hundred lakṣas make one koṭi," which corresponds to one hundred million here; the remaining three are to be understood accordingly. Hereafter is the second part: the bodhisattva of the southern direction.