Hayagriva is a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. There are believed to be 108 forms of Hayagriva. His special ability is to cure diseases, especially skin diseases even as serious as leprosy, which is said[Please name specific person or group] to be caused by the Nagas (water spirits with serpent bodies).
It is rumoured that Tibetan horse-dealers worship Hayagriva because he is believed to frighten away demons by neighing like a horse. When invoked, he is said[Please name specific person or group] to announce his coming by neighing, which accounts for the presence of a horse’s head, his distinctive mark, in his head-dress. The horse’s head neighs loudly, and the sound is said[Please name specific person or group] to pierce all false appearances of substantiality, revealing the shining reality of freedom. |
