The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c19.s1.t7: 5. Vasudhārā

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c19.s1.t7

Language: English

5. Vasudhārā

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Vasudhārā is the consort of Jambhala and bears the image of either Akṣobhya or Ratnasambhava on her crown. Several Sādhanas in the Sādhanamālā describe her form which is invariably two-armed. As none of the Sādhanas mentions the Āsana, she may be represented in any attitude, standing or sitting. She is richly decked in ornaments and is invariably accompanied by her attendants. Her complexion is always yellow, and she carries in her left hand the ears of corn with the vessel that showers gems, while the right hand exhibits the Varada mudrā. The short Sādhana describing her is as follows :

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“Pīta-Vaṁ-kāraparinātāṁ dvibhujaikamukhīṁ pītāṁ navayauvanā-bharaṇavastravibhūṣitāṁ dhānyamañjarīnāratnavarṣamāṇaghaṭavāma-hastāṁ dakṣiṇena varadāṁ anekasakhījana-parivṛtāṁ viśvapadmacandrā-sanasthāṁ Ratnasambhavamukuṭinīṁ...niṣpādya”.

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Sādhanamālā, p. 422-3.

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“The worshipper should conceive himself as (Vasudhārā) who originates from the yellow germ syllable ‘Vaṁ’. She is two-armed, one-faced, of yellow complexion, is in the prime of youth and is decked in all sorts of ornaments and garments. She carries in her left hand the ears of corn on a vessel showering gems, while the right exhibits the Varada mudrā. She is surrounded by many lady friends, rests on the moon over the double lotus, and bears the image of Ratnasambhava on the crown...”.

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Images of Vasudhārā are not generally met with in sculpture. She accompanies Ucchuṣma in the unique Sarnath image already referred to. The other image from Sarnath is mutilated beyond recognition. In both cases, however, she is represented standing. Fig. 186 illustrates a Nepalese drawing of the goddess.

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Vasudhārā is sometimes represented as one-faced and six-armed, and as sitting in the Lalita attitude. In the three right hands she exhibits the Namaskāra mudrā, the Varada mudrā and the ears of corn. The first left hand has the book, the second the ears of corn, and the third on the lap carries the vessel containing jewels. Her hair rises upwards in the shape of a flame, she is beautifully decked in ornaments and her expression is truly peaceful. Fig. 187 represents this variety of the goddess and is a fine specimen of Newari art. Fig. 188 illustrates a beautiful bronze image of Vasudhārā in the Baroda museum.

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Images of Vasudhārā are found in Tibet ¹ but not in China.

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¹ Images of Vasudhārā are found in Tibet

Linked texts (1)

Sādhanamālā — Sanskrit