Sumbharaja: Function & Appearance

Written by Administrator Friday, 02 July 2010 10:25

Sumbharaja's Place in the Sadhana

Click on image to enlarge

{highslide type="img" url="SumbharajaAW.jpg" width=200 captionText='Sumbharaja Line Drawing by Andy Weber (www.andyweberstudios.com)'}{/highslide}

Sumbharaja (Tib: gnod mdzes ) is one of the divine forms we transform ourselves into during the main session of the (long) Single- or 13-Deity Yamantaka sadhanas. The forms we go through during the self-generation process are (in sequence): (1) Sahaja Vajrabhairava (1 Face, 2 Arms); (2) Sumbharaja ; (3) Vajrasattva (3 Faces, 6 Arms); (4) Vairochana (3 Faces, 6 Arms); (5) Manjushri (1 Face, 2 Arms); and finally (6) Vajrabhairava (9 Faces, 34 Arms). We appear as Sumbharaja right after we have generated the mandala of the four elements and the protection wheel, transforming from the HUM syllable in the center of that wheel. This light blue HUM, which is in the nature of our own mind, dissolves into light from which we arise as Sumbharaja.

Sumbahraja's Appearance
He is dark blue in color; has a light-blue main, a white right, and a red left face; the side faces protrude beyond the ears; each of those faces has three eyes. Their expression is wrathful. The orange-colored hair is bristling upwards. He has six arms: the first two embrace a consort similar to himself; the second right hand holds a wish-fulfilling jewel, the third an iron hook. The second left hand holds a lotus, the third a noose. He stands in a posture with right leg drawn and the left extended. His consort looks like him, having three faces, six arms, etc.

Sumbharaja's Function in the Vajrabhairava and Guhyasamaja Practices

The Uncommon Protection Wheel in the Vajrabhairava practice is often compared or referred to the one found in the Guhyasamaja practice. Despite the same name there are differences that relate directly to the visualization and function of Sumbharaja. Whereas in the Guhyasamaja practice Sumbharaja is one of the 10 Wrathful Ones, here he is not. In fact he is the one who steers the Protection Wheel and commandeers the Ten Wrathful Ones. In the Guhyasamaja practice Akshobhya is in command and Sumbharaja is his subordinate. In the Guhyasamaja practice Sumbharaja is part of the mandala retinue and single; in the Vajrabhairava practice he has a consort - and does not appear as mandala deity.

The Ten Wrathful Ones

1/2

Sumbharaja: Function & Appearance

Written by Administrator Friday, 02 July 2010 10:25

The Ten Wrathful Ones (of the Yamantaka Tantra) are: (1) Black Yamantaka; (2) White Aparijita; (3) Red Hayagriva; (4) Blue Amrita-kundali; (5) blue Takkiraja; (6) Blue Niladanda; (7) Blue Nila-mahabala; (8) Blue Achala; (9) Yellow-green Ushnisha Chakravartin; (10) Vajra-patala.

2/2