Gods and Goddesses of Buddhism
and Hinduism
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OM!
Om, the mystic syllable of A-u-m is venerated by the Brahmans as well
as by the Buddhist. The devotees regard it to be too sacred to be
uttered aloud only formed by the lips. It is written that when all
was void the triliteral syllable Aum became manifest.
Adi Buddha at his will proceeded from Om. In that Aum, Adi Buddha
who is present in all things formless and passionless, possesses the
Tri-Ratna. It is also written that Adi Buddha became manifest in the
greatest Sunyata (void) as the letter A. It is also written that when
all was Sunyata, Prajna Devi (Adi Dharma) was revealed out of Akasa
with the letter 'U'. The Vija mantra of Sangha is 'M'. Thus the letters
A-u-m are the vija mantra of Buddha. Dharma and Sangha V. Tri-Ratna.
The mantra generally begins with Om and ends with hum. The most widely
known mantra is the six syllable one of Avalokiteswara 'Om Mani Padme
Hum'. |
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PANCHA RAKSHYA
Pancha Rakshya Deities are five protectresses deities popular and
well known amongst the Mahayana Buddhist particularly of Nepal.
A manuscript copy of the Pancha Rakshya describing five Rakshya
deities, their worship on different occasion and their powers is
found in every Buddhist house of Nepal. It is stated that when these
five Rakshya deities are worshipped grant a long life. They protect
kingdom, villages and meadows. They protect men from evil spirits,
diseases and famines. This manuscript is recited in all varieties
of domestic difficulties such as illness, ill fortunes, loss of
wealth etc.
All the deities are worshipped either singly or collectively in
a Mandala. In the Pancha Rakshya Mandala Mahapratisara is enthroned
in the centre while four others occupy the four direction such as
Mahasahasrapramardini in the east Mahamantranusarini in the south,
Mahasitavati in the west and Mahamayuri in the north. It is also
said that any one of the deities may become a leader in the Mandala
occupying the central position. In this case all other deities her
subordinates.
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KURUKULLA
There are many forms of the deity Kurkulla. But the most important
form is called Tarodbhava. She is the Goddess of wealth. She is believed
to be successful in bewitching men, women, ministers, and the kings.
'Om kurukulle hum hrin svaha' is the mantra when muttered ten thousand
times is said to fulfil every one's desires. Thirty thousand times
of this mantra must be muttered to subdue a minister. The subjugation
of a king requires more than a lakh. She is red in colour with red
garments, red ornaments and seated on a red lotus. She is usually
represented in dancing attitude. If she stands, she stands on her
left foot and her right leg is raised. She either wears a crown of
skulls or a band surmounted by ornaments. She has four arms. Two left
hands show charging a flowery arrow on a flower bow ready to strike
at and other two hands hold a noose and a goad. |
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