What is Guardian Deities?

Guardian Deities are the protector and help us to eliminate the obstacles. Mahakala and Ganesha are the two popular Guardian Deities in nepalese buddhist tradition.

Mahakala

Mahakala is a deity worship both by Hindu and Buddhismust. He can be seen in the entrace of every Buddhist monasteries of Kathmandu Valley. There are many forms of Mahakala, among them two armed,
four armed, six armed and sixteen armed are being most popular one.

The two armed Mahakala is dark blue in color. He looks wrathful with ornaments of serpents. He wears a garland od servered heads and a crown of five skulls symbolizied the five defilements. His right hand holds Kartri symbolizing that it can cut ego-clinging of evil ones. He wears tiger skin symbolizing the purification of desire.He has three eyes symbolizing his clear comprehension of three times.

It is said that Mahakala is the manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.


 

Ganesh/Ganapati

Ganesh is one of the most popular guardian deities worhsipped in Nepal, India by Hindus and Buddhists.Ganesh is said to be the deity of eliminator of obstacles. To begin any auspicipicous workor enterpise nepalese adore Ganesh with the hope that they may be accomplish their work successfully. Sadhanamala and Nispannayogavali is described as the form of Ganesh.

He rides on a mouse and is white in colour. He has an elephant face. A Snake forms his scared thread. He has four arms carries a trisula and laddu (Sweet ball) and in the left hands a  paraus (axe) and a radish.

He is the son of  the Lord Shiva and Parvati.His brother Kumar challenged Ganesh to circumambulate the world. The winner was to be awarded to be worshipped by the people first. Kumara travelled the world with his  vehicle peacock several times. Ganesh thought that he wouldnot able to circumambulat the world with his tiny vechicle mouse came out with different idea. He began to circumambulate around Lord Shiva and Paravati thrice. His parents asked the reason for that. Ganesh replied that this triple world was not was not greater than his parents and circumambulating them, it is thus far more better than circumambulating the triple the world. On hearing the wise answer of his son Ganesh, Lord Shvia and Parvati blessed him that he should be  the first deity to be worshipped before any ritual ceremony or auspicious occasions.



Refrence:  The IGONOGRAPHY of Nepalese Buddhism; Shakya, Min Bahadur;
Handicraft Assiciation of Nepal;1999, P.69
Image: Nepalcrafts