The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c15.2
The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c15.2
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c15.2
Amongst the deities emanating from the Dhyāni Buddha Akṣobhya Heruka stands pre-eminent. Heruka and his yab-yum form Hevajra are the chief gods in this group and they have numerous forms, many with different names. For the sake of clarity and convenience these forms have been separated for treatment, especially when a characteristic name is supplied by the Sādhanas to such forms. The Four Guardians of Gates treated later under the Chapter: ‘Collective Deities’ are of fierce appearance and figure prominently amongst the offsprings of Akṣobhya. The deities coming under the Vajra Family of Akṣobhya are described below one by one.