Hayagriva is one of the emanation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Hayagriva is also regarded as Yidam or Istadevata. Hayagriva has many forms often with three faces, six arms and four legs sometimes with huge wings. Hayagriva can be recognized by a small horse head surmounted on the top of his main terrific head. The horse head neighs very loudly and it is said that the sound is said to pierce all the false appearance of inherent existence or substantial reality.
The Hayagriva's terrific appearance is directed towards ego grasping and outer obstructions. His wrathfulness is said to be fierce compassion directed towards self cherishing attitude. According to Sadhanamala, Hayagriva is red in color. Hayagriva is awesome and terrible in appearance with bare fangs. Hayagriva has three eyes and brown beard. Hayagriva wears a garland of skull with teeth and lips. Hayagriva is crowned with his Jata and a figure of Amitabha. His second face is that of a horse, which is blue in color and neighs continuously. Hayagriva tramples on the top of the world. Hayagriva wears the snake ornaments. Hayagriva is short and dwarfish and is clad in tiger skin. Hayagriva threatens all the deities and asuras and holds the Vajra and staff in his two hands. |
