The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c20.s10: X. Four Light Goddesses

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c20.s10

Language: English

X. Four Light Goddesses

c20.s10.1

There are four goddesses of Light in the Vajrayāna pantheon. They are named as Sūryahastā, Dīpā, Ratnolkā and Taḍitkarā and described in the Pañcaḍāka Maṇḍala of the Niṣpannayogāvalī. Collectively, they are conceived as nude, and as violent in appearance with garland of skulls and severed heads. They dance on a corpse in the Pratyālīḍha attitude and hold their special marks of recognition in their hands. They are described below in the order in which they appear in the Pañcaḍāka Maṇḍala.

1. Sūryahastā

c20.s10.t1.1

Arms—Two Symbol—Sun

c20.s10.t1.2

Sūryahastā is the first deity in the series of four goddesses of Light and her form is described in the following words : “Sūryahastā sitā sūryamaṇḍaladharā”. NSP, p. 76 “Sūryahastā is of white colour and she holds in her hands the disc of the Sun”.

c20.s10.t1.3

One statuette of the goddess is found in the Chinese collection under the title of Sūryadharā. The two are identical ¹.

c20.s10.t1.4

¹ Clark : TLP, II, p. 88.

2. Dīpā

c20.s10.t2.1

Colour—Blue Arms—Two Symbol—Light stick

c20.s10.t2.2

The second Light deity is called Dīpā. Her form is described as under: “Dīpā nīlā dīpayaṣṭibhṛt.” NSP, p. 76 “Dīpā is blue in colour and holds in her hands the light stick”.

c20.s10.t2.3

A statuette of this goddess occurs in the Chinese collection ². This Chinese statuette is illustrated in Fig. 213.

c20.s10.t2.4

² Clark : TLP, II, pp. 67, 90.

3. Ratnolkā

c20.s10.t3.1

Colour—Yellow Arms—two Symbol—Jewel

c20.s10.t3.2

The third in the series of four goddesses of Light is called Ratnolkā. She is described as under : “Ratnolkā pītā ratnadharā”. NSP, p. 76 “Rātnolkā is yellow in colour and holds the jewel in her hands”.

c20.s10.t3.3

She is represented in the Chinese collection under the name of Ulkādharā. This statuette is illustrated in Fig. 214.

4. Taḍitkarā

c20.s10.t4.1

Colour—Green Arms—Two Symbol—Lightening

c20.s10.t4.2

The fourth and the last in the series of four goddesses of Light is called Taḍitkarā (Lightening Bearer). Her form is described in the following words : “Taḍitkarā haritā vidyullatādharā”. NSP, p. 76 “Taḍitkarā is green in colour and holds in her hands the creeper-like lightening”.

c20.s10.t4.3

A statuette of this goddess occurs in the Chinese collection under the title of Vidyuddharā. The image answers the description in all details The two are therefore identical ¹.

c20.s10.t4.4