01. Vajrāṅkuśa (Vajra hook or Diamond hook), Vajrankusi, Ankusa, Ankusha, Aṅkuśā (Tib., rTa-gdong-ma). Attracting (sarvatathagatasamakarsana).
Vajrāṅkuśa or Ankusa (meaning an elephant goad or hook) represents the indestructible protective yoga of hooking the ego by meditative joy (lāyā-samādhi) into transcendence, the path, the drawing in of sentient beings with loving kindness, giving, and liberality which are her attributes, she usually holds an elephant goad or hook in her right hand and in here left bears a blood-filled skull-bowl, she is sometimes called horse face, tiger face, iron hook or diamond hook and can be white in color.
Ankusa has a wrathful yaksha appearance and wears a tiger skin loin cloth, a princely crown, stone-inlaid jewellery, and a celestial scarf shaped like a nimbus.
Ankusa summons the divinities who will inhabit or manifest in mandala.
As a ritual implement, the vajrankusa or ankusa symbolises the hooking of negativities of evil beings, and the pulling or driving off all beings out of samsara and towards liberation, she represents the compassion to guide samsara to nirvana.
Ankusa is paired with Trailokya Vaijaya or Vijaya or Achala and they reside in the eastern channel guarding the Eastern gate, in a blissful union.
She represents rebirth in a supernatural manner.
OM Vajrankusa JAH is the enlightened intention of Arikusa. Thus the entrance to miraculous birth will be obstructed, and immeasurable compassion will grow within the mental continuum.
If someone desires to dwell in the palace of the Asuras and experience, they should go to the entrance of the cave of the Asuras and make an arikusa (hook, elephant goad) with rushes. They should recite the Vajrakumara mantra seven times to empower this hook, elephant goad, and then revolve it to the right in the air near the entrance. By just reciting the mantra, it will be made open.
Remember, appearances are like reflected images, not existing in reality.
Then the World-honored One, the Tathagata Vairocana, again entered an adamantine samadhi, called “Sattva Born of the Samaya of the Samaya-Hook of All the Tathagatas,” whereupon there came forth from his heart the master of the multitude of all seals of All the Tathagatas:
Vajrāṅkuśa. (Adamantine Hook!).
As soon as he had come forth from the hearts of All the Tathagatas, he, the Lord Vajradhara (The Primordial Buddha), appeared as multitudes of all seals of All the Tathagatas. From these multitudes of all seals of All the Tathagatas there came forth the figures of Tathagatas equal in number to the dust-motes of all world-systems, which combined again and became one, becoming the figure of the Great Bodhisattva Vajrāṅkuśa, who took up his place on a lunar disc in the middle of the Vajra Gate of the World-honoured One’s pavilion with a pinnacle made of vajras and mani-gems and, summoning by hook the samayas (vows) of All the Tathagatas, uttered this udana:
“How wonderful! The hook-vow of all Buddhas, I am firm, for those whom I universally summon by hook assemble all mandalas.”
02. Vajrapāśa (Vajra noose or Diamond Lasso), Pasha, Pasa, Pashadhari (Tib., Phag-gdong-ma). Entering (pravesa).
Vajrapāśa represents the indestructible protective yoga of inner renunciation (pratyāhara) that binds by ways of rules and commitments;
Pasha is youthful has three eyes, bared fangs and long red hair, has a yellow/gold body and holds a skull cap and a noose and is sometimes called sow face or the noose.
Pashadhari, or the noose bearer, is paired with Yamantaka and they reside in the southern side guarding the south gate and are yellow in color, she draws in sentient beings with compassion, kind words and gentle speech which are her attributes.
She will be seen holding the noose in her right hand.
She represents rebirth by way of a womb, and destroys duality, representing the perfect combination of wrong views and wisdom into one.
Then the World-honored One again entered the adamantine samadhi called "Born of the Samaya of the Mahasattva Induction (Pravesa) into the Samaya of All the Tathagatas,” whereupon there came forth from his heart the porter of seal-entry of All the Tathagatas:
Vajrapasa. (Adamantine Noose!)
As soon as he had come forth from the hearts of All the Tathagatas, he, the Lord Vajradhara, appeared as multitudes of seals for induction into the samaya of All the Tathagatas. From these multitudes of seals for induction into the samaya of All the Tathagatas there came forth the figures of Tathagatas equal in number to the dust-motes of all world-systems, which combined again and became one, becoming the figure of the Great Bodhisattva Vajrapasa, who took up his place on a lunar disc within the Gem Gate of the World-honored One’s pavilion with a pinnacle made of vajras and mani-gems and, inducting All the Tathagatas,
uttered this udana:
“How wonderful! I am the firm adamantine noose of all Buddhas; Even those who have entered all dust-motes, these I again induct.”
03. Vajrasphoṭa (Vajra Chain or Diamond chain or Diamond explosion), Sphota, Shrinkhala, Śṛṅkhalā or Vajrasrinkhala, Vajraśṛṅkhalā (Tib., Seng-gdong-ma) . Binding (bandha).
Vajrasphoṭa represents the indestructible protective yoga of mantra recitation (dharaṇa), blasting the thoughts of ignorance;
Sphota has a red body and holds a skull cap and a chain and is sometimes called lion face or iron chain.
Hayagriva is paired with Sphota and they reside in the western channel guarding the western gate and are red in color, she overpowers sentient beings with sympathetic joy, benefiting actions, and empathy, and represents the defeat of ignorance with all her attributes.
The iron chain she will usually be holding in her right hand.
Remember, through refutation and proof, mental phenomena should not apprehended as self-existing but are dreamlike.
She represents rebirth by way of an egg.
Then the World-honored One again entered an adamantine samadhi, called “Born of the Samaya of the Great Sattva Chain (Sphota) of the Samaya of All the Tathagatas,” whereupon there came forth from his heart the messenger of All the Tathagatas called “Bind of the Samaya of All the Tathagatas”:
Vajrasphota. (Adamantine Chain!)
As soon as he had come forth from the hearts of All the Tathagatas, he, the Lord Vajradhara, appeared as multitudes of seals for binding the samaya of All the Tathagatas. When they had come forth, there appeared from these multitudes of seals for binding the samaya of All the Tathagatas the figures of Tathagatas equal in number to the dust-motes of all world-systems, which combined again and became one, becoming the figure of the Great Bodhisattva Vajrasphota, who took up his place on a lunar disc in the middle of the Dharma Gate of the World-honored One’s pavilion with a pinnacle [made] of vajras and mani-gems and binding All the Tathagatas, uttered this udana:
“How wonderful! I am the great and firm adamantine chain of all Buddhas; I cause those liberated from all bonds to be bound for the weal of sentient beings.”
04. Vajrāveśa (Diamond Entry or Diamond Armor or Diamond Bell). (Sometimes called Vajraghaṇṭā)Ghanta, Ghaṇtā, sometimes Kinkinidhari (Tib., sBrul-gdong-ma; spyang gdong ma). Subjugating (vasikarana).
Vajrāveśa represents the indestructible protective yoga of reflective meditation (dhyāna) that protects the yogi from karmic obstacles and defilements just like armour protects a warrior in combat.
Ghanta has a green body and holds a skull cap and a bell (or gong) and is called wolf face, snake face, serpent face or the bell.
Ghanta is paired with Amrtakundalin or Amritakundali and they reside in the northern channel guarding the northern gate and are green in color, she attracts people by purposeful conduct, working together and great equanimity (calmness) which are her attributes.
Remember there is no substance in respect of the essence of all phenomenal existence.
She represents rebirth by warmth.
Normally she will holds a vajra bell in the right hand, representing the five poisons purified as the wisdom of the buddha and a skull-cup filled with fresh blood is held in her left hand, representing the union of samsara and nirvana.
Then the World-honored One again entered an adamantine samadhi, called “Born of the Samaya of the Great Bodhisattva Entry (Avesa) of All the Tathagatas,” whereupon there came forth from his heart the servant of all seals of All the Tathagatas:
Vajravesa. (Adamantine Entry! Of adamantine knowledge via vows)
As soon as he had come forth from the hearts of All the Tathagatas, he, the Lord Vajradhara, became the masters of seals of All the Tathagatas. When they had come forth, there appeared from these masters of seals of All the Tathagatas the figures of Tathagatas equal in number to the dust-motes of all world-systems, which combined again and became one, becoming the figure of the Great Bodhisattva Vajravesa, who took up his place on a lunar disc in the middle of the Karma Gate of the World-honored One’s pavilion with a pinnacle made of vajras and mani-gems and causing All the Tathagatas to enter, uttered this udana:
“How wonderful! I am the firm adamantine entry of all Buddhas; I become lord over all, and then again I also become a servant.”
