Figure 147 - Emanations of Akṣobhya: Dhvajāgrakeyūrā

Figure 147: Dhvajāgrakeyūrā

Two Sādhanas in the Sādhanamālā describe two widely different forms of Dhvajāgrakeyūrā. In one the effigy of Akṣobhya on the crown is expressly mentioned, but in the other, the Dhyāni Buddha is absent. The weapons are also different, and in one case she is three-faced and in the other four-faced. In all other respects, however, the forms are identical. Images of Dhvajāgrakeyūrā are found in China.

(i) Three-Faced Dhvajāgrakeyūrā:

Colour: blue;
Faces: three;
Arms: four;
Appearance: terrible;
Āsana: pratyālīḍha;

The Dhyāna describing Dhvajāgrakeyūrā [has] three faces and four arms and with the effigy of Akṣobhya.

(ii) Four Faced Dhvajāgrakeyūrā:

Faces: four;
Arms: four;
Colour: yellow;

As already pointed out, Dhvajāgrakeyūrā has another form, with four faces and four arms carrying the sword and the Cakra in the two right hands, and the Tarjanīpāśa and the Mūṣala, marked with a Vajra, in the two left. A Triśūla hangs from her left shoulder. Her first face is yellow, left red, right white, and the face above is distorted and is of the colour of smoke. In all other respects her form is identical with the one described above.

Fig. 147 illustrates a Nepalese drawing of the goddess [Dhvajāgrakeyūrā].