Buddhist Deity: Manjushri (Siddhaikavira: Chapter 3 Notes)

Manjushri, White

The Siddhaikavira Tantra has four chapters. The practices in each of the chapters are numbered sequentially from the first through the fourth chapters. The third chapter of the four has eleven sections designated as numbered mantras beginning with the Forty-First Mantra through to the Fifty-First Mantra. Nine of the mantras refer to Manjushri and two of the mantras are for Sarasvati, the Forty-Fourth and Forty-Fifth Mantras. Manjushri is described in either a solitary appearance or accompanied by for goddesses. There are three different sets of four goddesses.

The Manjushri in the form of Manjuvajra Siddhaikavira has the goddesses Mahasarasvati, Mahashri, Keshini and Upakeshini. The four secondary figures are all female.

The form of Manjushri as Vagishvara Arapachana has Keshini, Upakeshini, Jaliniprabha, and Chandraprabha, two male and two female figures. This is also known as the Arapachana Five Deity Mandala.

Maha Sarasvati has the goddesses Prajna, Medha, Mati and Smriti. The four secondary figures are all female.

Jeff Watt 8-2022

84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha:

Toh 544. The Tantra of Siddhaikavīra.
(Siddhaikavīratantram, dpa’ bo gcig pu grub pa zhes bya ba’i rgyud kyi rgyal po chen po)

Chapter Three:

Forty-first Mantra:
- Manjuvajra Siddhaikavira

"...the form of Lord Mañjuvajra Siddhaikavīra, white like the light of the autumn moon. In his left hand he is holding a blue lotus and his right hand is in the boon-granting gesture."

Forty-Second Mantra:
Vagishvara (same appearance as the previous)

Forty-Third:
(Same as the previous)

Forty-Fourth Mantra:
- Maha Sarasvati

"One should visualize a white lotus seven hands in diameter, on top of it a moon disk, and in the center of the moon disk the goddess in all her splendor, one hand holding a lotus and the other displaying the boon-granting gesture. The nature of the Blessed Lady’s body is great compassion. She is there solely to benefit others. She delights in granting practitioners the siddhis they desire. She is white like the rays of the autumn moon, anointed with cream of white sandalwood, and beautifully adorned with flowers. She is dressed in white garments; pearl necklaces, white and so forth, gleam on her chest, and many jewels adorn her body. She illuminates the endless and limitless world sphere with thousands of flashing light rays. She has the form of a twelve-year-old girl, her body in all the fresh beauty of budding youth. One should visualize oneself thus in the form of Mahāsarasvatī, with Prajñā in front, Medhā to the right, Mati behind, and Smṛti to the left‍—each goddess beautiful, with the same characteristics as just described."

Forty-Fifth Mantra:
- Sarasvati
(Same as the previous)

Forty-Sixth Mantra:
- Manjuvajra Siddhaikavira

"...the youthful lord Mañjuvajra Siddhaikavīra. He is free from the afflictions, holds a book that embodies all statements,81 and brandishes the sword of wisdom in his right hand. In front of him, one should visualize the sunlight-garlanded Mahāsarasvatī; behind him, Mahāśrī; to his right, Keśinī; and to his left, Upakeśinī. One should visualize them as white like the autumn moon and adorned with every ornament."

Forty-Seventh Mantra:
- Vagishvara with the Four Goddesses

Forty-Eight:
- Vagishvara Arapachana

"...instantaneously arisen, upon a white lotus and a moon disk; one is white in color, holding a book and a sword. On the right side of oneself as Vāgīśvara is Keśinī, and on one’s left, Upakeśinī. Each of them is white and holds a red lotus. In front is Jālinīprabha, of white color, astride a sun disk and holding a blue lotus. Behind, one should visualize Candraprabha, astride a moon disk and holding a blue lotus."

Forty-Ninth Mantra:
- Vagishvara

Fiftieth Mantra:
(Same as the previous)

Fifty-First Mantra:
- Vagishvara
(Same as the previous)

Bari Gyatsa, edited version by Ngorchen Koncgog Lhundrub.

[10] Dharmadhatu Vagishvara.
White Dharmadhatu Vagishvara, with four white faces, eight hands, the first two in the Dharma teaching gesture. The three lower right hold a sword, arrow and vajra. The three lower left, a Prajnaparamita book, bow and bell. With the same ornaments and garments. Seated in the vajrasana [posture]. [Based on the 41st Mantra].

[12] Arya Manjushri Vajra Siddhiakavira.
White Siddhi Kavira, with one face and two hands, the right [in the gesture of] supreme generosity, the left holding a blue utpala [flower], the same ornaments and garments. Seated in the vajrasana [posture]. [Based on the 42nd & 43rd Mantras].

[7] Maharaja Manjushri.
[Above] a lion, lotus and moon...is Manjushri with a body orange in colour, one face and two hands, seated in the lalitaraja [posture]. The right hand is extended with the palm down on the right knee, the left holds to the heart a blue utpala stem, with the petals blossoming beside the ear, the same ornaments and garments. [Based on the 49th Mantra].

[6] Vadi Raja Manjushri.
[Above] a blue lion with the head looking to the right, in the middle, is a lotus, moon...Vadi Raja Manjushri, with a body colour like melted gold. The two hands are held at the heart performing the Dharma teaching gesture [and] the left holds a blue utpala with a Prajnaparamita book resting upon it. With the same ornaments and garments, seated in the lalitaraja posture. At the front left is Krodha Yama, with a body blue in colour, one face and two hands. The right is held supporting the leg of the Blessed One and the left holds a lasso. With three eyes and bared fangs, yellow hair bristling upwards, the head adorned with a garland of skulls and wearing a lower garment of tiger skin; standing in a manner looking at the face of the Lord. [Based on the 50th Mantra].

(By Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub,1497-1557, bibliographic information. Based on the Bari Gyatsa of Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag, 1040-1112 [P3731]).

Jeff Watt 8-2022