Bodhisattva Vajrapani is the embodiment of the power of Lord Buddha’s compassion. Bodhisattva Vajrapani is always depicted in wrathful aspect.

Vajrapani bodhisattva body is blue in colour and his hair has yellow ochre. Bodhisattva Vajrapani wears a tiger skin around his waist. He is usually depicted in two arms aspect but can be seen in four arms aspect as well.

Bodhisattva Vajrapani is a major Bodhisattva easily recognized as holding a vajra with his right hand and left hand displaying threatening vitarka mudra. His body seems to be massive and in a pose of warrior. Under his feet he controls two live snakes. He wears all sorts of bodhisattva ornaments and also a garland of snakes. He has a wide and wild roaring mouth rimmed with lacquered red lips. His eyebrows are like the flame, with his moustache and beard being curled.

Vajrapani is often depicted with Avalokiteshvara and Manjushree representing the Buddha’s power of compassion (Vajrapani), the great compassion (Avalokiteshvara) and the great wisdom (Manjushree).

Vajrapani’s wrathfulness, snake ornament and his pose as a warrior all serve to convey the force and vitality of the enlightened energy as it combats ignorance, greed, fear and other delusions. Vajrapani is said to be the companion Bodhisattva of Buddha Shakyamuni. While the Buddha was residing at Gridhkuta hill, the site where Lord Buddha delivered the Prajnaparamita doctrines, his jealous cousin Devadutt attempted to assassinate him. He sent a huge boulder rolling down the hill, but just as it was about to hit the Buddha, Vajrapani appeared and split the boulder into pieces so that it could fall harmlessly near Buddha.

Another story is this that a brahman called Ambattha was abusing the Buddha with many vile and impure words. He saw Vajrapani appear in the sky with his wrathful aspect. Terrified of Vajrapani, Brahman Ambattha confessed his evil deeds in front of Buddha Shakyamuni.