Mahakala: Shadbhuja, White (Tangtong Gyalpo)

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White Mahakala Main Page (Shangpa)


The principal form of Mahakala described in this tradition, 'Guru and Lord [Mahakala] Inseparable,' is white in colour. He holds the same hand attributes as the common ‘Removing All Obstacles’ form of the deity who is blue/black in colour. The traditional White Mahakala of the Shangpa tradition has different hand attributes and holds a wish-fulfilling jewel in the right hand (in place of the mala) and a vajra hook in the left hand (in place of the lasso).

In the right hands are a curved knife, skull mala and damaru drum. In the left hands are a skullcup, trident and lasso. That detailed description is followed by five more forms: yellow, red, green, blue and multi-coloured. All of the forms hold the same hand attributes. The appearance of the teacher on the crown of the head is described differently for each form.

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"...glorious Wisdom Mahakala, with a body white in colour, one face, six hands; two legs in standing posture. The first right hand holds a curved knife of wish-fulfilling jewel; middle a garland of skulls; lower a damaru resounding fiercely; first left a skullcup filled with blood; middle a trident; lower a noose with vajra ends. With three round red eyes; mouth open with bared fangs; with radiant eyebrows and beard; orange hair flowing upward; adorned with a crown of five dry human skulls and possessing a necklace of fifty fresh blood dripping [heads]; adorned with six bone ornaments and snakes; a lower garment of tiger skin tied with a sash of green silk; stomach distended and strong stout limbs. The forehead is anointed with sindura. The arms and legs are adorned with ringing bells; wearing a fresh elephant skin; with buddha Akshobhya as a crown; standing in the middle of a blazing fire of pristine awareness. Then, a hand span above the crown, on a lotus and moon seat is the root Guru, with a body white in colour, one face and two hands; the right holds a skull damaru or precious jewel; left ringing a golden bell; two legs in standing posture; adorned with silks and precious ornaments; in a manner peaceful and smiling."

"Again, the same as earlier, in front above a lotus, sun, and Ganapati is Mahakala, yellow-black, ornaments and clothing the same as earlier. Standing above the crown of the head on a lotus and moon seat is the root Guru, with a body colour like refined gold, one face, two hands. In the right hand is a wish-fulfilling jewel and left a ringing golden bell; ornaments and clothing the same as earlier."

"Again in front, the same as earlier, above the seat is Mahakala, red-black, on the crown above a lotus and moon the root Guru, with a body red in colour; the right hand holds a damaru and left a precious jewel; appearing with ornaments and clothing the same as earlier."

"Again in front is the seat, the same as earlier, above is Mahakala, green-black, hand symbols the same as earlier. Then, on the crown above a lotus and moon is the root Guru, with a body green in colour; the right hand holds a damaru and left a vase filled with nectar; with clothing the same as earlier."

"Again in front is a black dharmakara, inside, ... a lotus, sun and Ganapati seat. ...Wisdom Mahakala, with a body blue-black in colour, ornaments, clothing, etc. the same as earlier. The retinue, four Rakshasas and Shri Devi, arise naturally. ... Then on the crown of the head is the root Guru with a body blue-black in colour, one face, two hands; having wrathful ornaments; standing in the middle of a blazing fire; holding in the right a damaru, and left the wish-fulfilling jewel 'King of Power;' ornaments, clothing, and seat in a manner the same as earlier. ... It is also suitable for the body colour of the Guru to be white."

"Again resting in the sky in front above a lotus, sun, together with a Ganapati seat is the Wisdom Mahakala, with a body multi-coloured, ornaments, clothing, and hand symbols the same as earlier. On the crown is a lotus, moon and root Guru, multi-coloured; the right holds a damaru, and left the jewel 'King of Power;' peaceful and wrathful in aspect; ornaments and clothing the same as earlier." (Tang Tong Gyalpo, 1385-1510).

Jeff Watt [added 1-2020]

(The images on this page depict the Shangpa Kagyu White Mahakala).