The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c12.s6: 7. Vāgīśvara

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c12.s6

Language: English

7. Vāgīśvara

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Vāgīśvara is the tutelary deity of the Nepalese Buddhists and is widely worshipped in Nepal. The fact that innumerable prayer-wheels in Nepalese temples bear, in monumental Newari characters, the mantra “Oṃ Vāgīśvara Mūḥ” stands witness to his popularity.

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One of the Sādhanas describes him as red in colour with all princely ornaments, and as seated on a lion in the Ardhaparyaṅka attitude. He carries the Utpala in his left hand, and the right is disposed in a graceful attitude. He may have a yellow variety, which is known as the Mahārājalīla Mañjuśrī, and the Dhyāna describing that form has already been quoted and translated by Professor Foucher. The red variety of Vāgīśvara is described in the Dhyāna thus :

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“Pañcavīrakaśekharaṃ kumāraṃ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitaṃ kuṅkumāruṇaṃ vāmenotpalaṃ dakṣiṇena līlayā sthitaṃ siṃhāsanasthaṃ ātmānaṃ kumārārūpeṇa cintayet...Oṃ Vāgīśvara Mūḥ”. Sādhanamālā, p. 105

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“The worshipper should think himself as Vāgīśvara whose head is beautified by the images of the five Dhyāni Buddhas. He looks a prince, is decked in all ornaments, and has the complexion of Kuṅkuma. He carries the night lotus in his left hand while the right is displayed artistically. He rides a lion and possesses princely grace......Oṃ Vāgīśvara Mūḥ.

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The Indian Museum image (Fig. 81) of this divinity carries a bell in the right hand, and sits on a lion throne instead of a lion. The other image in bronze (Fig. 82) is a recent one, and represents the god somewhat differently. Vāgīśvara statuettes are found in Tibet¹.

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¹ Gordon : ITL, p. 68 under the title of Mahārājalīlā Mañjuśrī.

Cites (1)

Sādhanamālā — Sanskrit