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The fascinating world of Tibetan Buddhism features many deities. One significant deity is Chakrasamvara. Also known as Heruka, he is a key figure in the Mother Tantra. This tantra belongs to the Anuttarayoga class. This class is very important in Tibetan Buddhism.
Understanding Chakrasamvara in Tibetan Buddhism
He is known as "Demchok" in Tibetan. In Mongolian, he is called "Demchig." Moreover, practitioners view him as the embodiment of all Buddhas’ Vajra body, speech, and mind. This includes Buddhas from the past, present, and future. Furthermore, he represents the totality of all Buddhas’ merits. He is one of five major deities in Tibetan Buddhism's highest yoga practices. Thus, he holds a very important position.
The Role of Vajravārāhī
Vajravārāhī, meaning Diamond Sow, is Chakrasamvara’s consort. She is also very significant. She carries a curved knife, called a kartika, in her right hand. Additionally, she holds a kapala, a skull cup filled with blood, in her left hand. She offers this to her consort. Moreover, Vajravārāhī wears a five-skull crown. She also has three eyes. These symbolize her ability to see the past, present, and future. Besides her central face, she has a pig's head on the side. This represents the union of wisdom and method.
Chakrasamvara: Form One
The artistic representation of Chakrasamvara is complex. He often has a five-skull crown on his head. A lotus pedestal sits beneath his feet. He has four faces, each with a different color. These are yellow, blue, green, and red. Each face also has three eyes. Furthermore, he has twelve arms. His main two arms hold a vajra bell and scepter. This pair embraces his consort, Vajravārāhī. The remaining arms extend to the sides. They hold implements such as an axe and a crescent knife. They also hold a trident and a skull staff. Additionally, there is a vajra lasso and a vajra hook. Finally, he holds a freshly severed head.
He is naked in this form. Moreover, his right foot presses down on Mahadeva. This is a terrifying male deity. Mahadeva is prostrate and has four arms. Each of his arms holds an implement. His left foot steps on a supine female figure. This figure symbolizes time. She also has four arms with ritual objects. Vajravārāhī embraces him. She has one red face and three eyes. She wears a skull crown. Her right hand holds a curved knife. Her left hand holds a skull cup with blood. Her left leg extends by the deity's right leg. Her right leg wraps around his waist.
Chakrasamvara: Form Two
In this form, the deity's skin is sky-blue. He has one head, two arms, and three eyes. His left hand holds a vajra bell. His right hand holds a vajra scepter. These hands are crossed in front of his chest in an embrace. Moreover, his hair is in a topknot. It is adorned with a bone Dharma wheel and a mani jewel. Furthermore, in front of the topknot, there is a crossed vajra scepter. There is a half-moon to its left. This is also adorned with mani jewels.
He wears a five-skull crown. Additionally, he has bone ornaments. He also wears a garland of fifty severed heads around his chest. He has earrings and bracelets. Furthermore, he has bone necklaces. Finally, he has a tiger skin loincloth. His right foot presses on the heart of Kalaratri. She is a red goddess. His left foot slightly bends. It presses down on Bhairava's forehead. He is a blue god.
The consort is naked. She has one head, two arms, and three eyes. Her hair is partially tied and loose. She also wears a five-skull crown. Additionally, she has a necklace of fifty severed heads. Her right hand holds a vajra knife. Her left hand holds a skull cup with blood. She offers this cup to Chakrasamvara’s mouth. Her left leg is bent slightly. Her right leg wraps around his waist. Both deities are surrounded by a blazing fire. This fire represents wisdom. They wear bone ornaments. Their three eyes radiate light. This displays an angry countenance.
Chakrasamvara: Form Three
The four faces of the deity are all wrathful. The front face is adorned with a skull crown. Also, a skull garland reaches his ankles. His legs are adorned with turquoise and agate. Furthermore, his left foot steps on Kalaratri. She is a Hindu goddess. His right foot steps on Shiva. He is a Hindu god. Moreover, he embraces Vajravārāhī with all his arms. The remaining arms hold various ritual objects. She holds a knife in one hand. In her other hand, she holds a kapala cup. She embraces the deity around his neck. Her expression is not angry or peaceful. The deity's back shows the rest of his arms pulling an elephant skin.
Chakrasamvara: Form Four
Chakrasamvara typically has four heads. Each has three eyes. The left head is yellow. Next is blue, then green, and finally red. His body is usually blue. Additionally, he wears a skull crown. His primary arms embrace his consort. They hold a vajra scepter. His expression is wrathful. Moreover, a vajra scepter is on his lower left arm. This symbolizes Chakrasamvara. He wears a white elephant hide and a tiger skin loincloth. He has twelve arms. Each holds different objects. These include an axe and crescent knife. He also holds a trident and a skull staff. Additionally, he holds a vajra lasso, hook, and severed heads. A green aura surrounds his head. A flame-patterned halo surrounds his body. His feet trample an ignorant demon.
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Deities in Tibetan Buddhism (5): Mahakala and Green Tara
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