Vajrakilaya

Vajrakilaya

Vajrakilaya or Vajrakila Heruka - blood drinker - is one of the most important deities of both the Nyingma and Gelug lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. Considered the wrathful and active manifestation of the eight Herukas pronouncements, Vajrakilaya is a meditational deity with the power to transcend violence and overcome obstacles.

Vajrakilaya is generally depicted in his most wrathful aspect with three faces, each one having three eyes, six hands, and four legs, embracing his consort Diptachakra.

The hands near the heart hold a three-faced peg called “Kila”. Both right hands hold a gold Vajra while one of the left hands holds a trident decorated with streamers and fire flames between the fingers of the other left hand.

The most distinctive characteristic of Vajrakilaya is two large feathered wings.

Diptachakra (meaning Flaming Wheel) holds a “Kapala”, a skull-cup full of blood in the left hand, and her left leg is raised to embrace the consort.