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vaiśravaṇa-sādhana-nāma

Vaishravana practice

    I prostrate before the Blessed Ratnabahu!
    Bodhisattva Ratnabahu! Having looked at the aims of all beings, performed the prayer-wishing to the son of the rishi Bahushrutiyakar and the goddess Srivrittabhadri. By this he completely completed the thoughts of the beings.
    O blessed god of gods, whom the gods honor, that desire the wealth of gods! Thee I praise thee!
    Composed his practice. In the chakra of the being that arises from the syllable bhrūṁ, [arises a manifestation,] adorned with five roars and extreme heat. From above possesses the vowel and the last consonant. Rays of light are emitted and gathered. Realizing the goals of beings, from its own attribute arises the chief [deity], Vajrapani, that is depicted as majestic and yellow-green. On the basis of the seven accumulations of spiritual merit, absolute level and emptiness [appears] the husband's own nature as the essence of body, speech and mind. Enter the jnanasattva, receive initiation, bless the three places, beget the vajr, that realizes submission. Possesses a vajr, a bell, ten kinds of ornaments.
    Having begotten the three spheres [of creation] as a deity by emitting and gathering rays of light, [imagine that one] possesses the consonant oṁ, the syllable of water and the third syllable, the syllable u of fire of the third [syllable]. The beginning of the fifth [syllable], the ending of the fourth, that is appressed by the fourth vowel. The great fierce one tramples on the harmful one with a word.
    The mantra with two hūṁ and one phaṭ is constantly revolving in the heart of the chief [deity]. Carry out recitation in an uninterrupted stream with a unidirectional mind. In front of him-from the bhrūṁ [arise] a precious structure. Meditate thus.
    In the east - adorned with a column of crystal. In the south - of the jewel of lapis lazuli. In the west - of the lotus raga. In the north - beautiful with a column of gold. In the four corners are nine structures with three levels. A structure with three palaces in the middle - possesses a pinnacle of good rare jewel. It is adorned with ten kinds [of jewelry]. In the midst of it, out of the syllable that causes intimidation, [appears a being that] is on a lion's throne. In the virtuous hand of one who is in relaxation, on the right is a precious victorious standard. On the left holds a mongoose from the treasury. Possesses a jeweled tiara, earrings, neck necklace, necklaces, shoulder jewelry, arm bracelets, necklaces, garlands and belt. The small parts of the body are also absolutely beautiful because of the jewelry. The abdomen is large and sits cross-legged. He is surrounded by eight blessed vessels, wish-fulfilling trees, precious trees, beautiful ornaments from blessed ponds, good flowers, wish-fulfilling cows, and a fence of wish-fulfilling jewels.
    In the middle of this is the protector that due to the samadhi of the heavenly treasury pours down rain of sem of various jewels.
    Then follows the invocation of the king:
    Parading everywhere is the protector that possesses compassion! Now, at the time of the five decadences, the five boundless [bad actions] are being carried out everywhere. So while everyone is asleep in the swamp of obscurations-clashing, even while looking and abiding in motion, you that [abide] before the lion of Shakyas have received all the heart's engagements! Think about this and protect the Doctrine of the leader! For the benefit of living beings, I ask those who abide in the northern direction to come for the benefit of all living beings!
    Having realized the invocation, make offerings. [Having received initiation, put on the robes. When you offer up in your hands the seven jewels, the eight [symbols of] good fortune, obtain siddhis. By continually serving and beholding, make offerings of food, drink, sensual pleasures, and so forth. In the heart on the syllable of water there are ornaments of twelve vowel syllables. With eyes covered, thirty-two [signs] are distributed.
    Such is the close to the heart [mantra]:
    oṁ vaiśravaṇaye svāhā
    With one hundred thousand you will move through the sky. With two hundred thousand you'll move through the lands. With three hundred thousand you will burn the directions. With four hundred thousand, you will find food and drink. With five hundred thousand, you will possess jewels. With six hundred thousand, you will find a multitude of entourage and retinue. With seven hundred thousand, you will increase your family line. With eight hundred thousand, increase longevity. With nine, you will find essences and medicines. With ten, you gain clairvoyance.
    When you ask to leave, ask for patience. Fulfill the good wishes and injunctions for activity. Also later perform the prayer for what one gains. On the basis of the tantra of the special practice of the variegated [being] and the tantra of the supreme Nartaka, the most important beneficial branches have been gathered.
    May all beings attain local protection!
    Thus concludes that which is compiled by Acharya Shuragavarma. Translated and verified by Pandita Tejadeva and the translator Zangkar Phagpa Sherab.
    Translated by Lama Karma Paljor (O.E. Filippov).