Himalayan Art: Buddhist Protector: Shri Devi Main Page

Shri Devi is a category of Tantric Buddhist deity. Her primary function is as a protector (Dharmapala) and specifically the primary female Wisdom Protector of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism. There are dozens of different variations and forms of Shri Devi. She is typically in wrathful appearance following the Indian model of a Rakshasi demon. In most occurrences and uses of Shri Devi, but not all, she is paired with a specific form of Mahakala. Aside from the individual Anuttarayoga Tantras that teach various forms of Shri Devi, the principal texts are the Twenty-five and Fifty Chapter Mahakala Tantras. The textual source for Magzor Gyalmo is the Dakinyagnijihajvala Tantra, Dege Kanjur, volume 98, pp.223-253. It is found in the Nyingma Tantra section, vol.3. TBRC w22084.

Shri Devi is not one entity or personality. Depending on the form of Shri Devi she could be a wrathful emanation of a number of different deities such as Shri Devi Magzor Gyalmo is the wrathful form of Sarasvati. Some forms of Shri Devi with four arms such as Dudusolma are the wrathful form of Shri Lakshmi (Pal Lhamo).

Types of Shri Devi:

Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo	Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo	Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo
Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Palden Lhamo	Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Dorje Rabtenma	Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo
Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo	Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo	Shri Devi (Buddhist Protector) Magzor Gyalmo