Ekajati: Fierce Protectress of the Vajrayana Teachings Beyond Duality

Mythological Origins: The origins of Ekajaṭī vary by lineage and text.

• The Nyingma Treasure Tradition: According to "Revealed Treasure" (gter ma) texts, Ekajaṭī’s birth was violent and supernatural. In a distant past, a she-devil named Duemo Pemey Trengchen became pregnant. The child within the womb spoke, refusing to be born through the birth canal, declaring it "dirty," nor through the throat. Instead, the infant tore through the mother's ribs to emerge. The mother named the child Ekajaṭī. Following her birth, Ekajaṭī sought to vanquish her brother, Karpo Chenchig. Acting on her mother's advice, she approached Sangwey Dagpo (Vajrapāṇi), who conferred upon her the Dolghing empowerment and a golden sword, establishing her as a protector.
• The Sweat of the Buddha: In the Indian iconographic tradition recorded in the Sādhanamālā, a specific terrifying form of Ekajaṭī known as Vidyujjvalakarālī is said to have originated from the sweat of the Buddha.
• Root of the Mamos: In Tibetan mythology, Ekajaṭī is considered the root source of the Mamos (a class of fierce, often ugly female spirits). It is believed she manifests in various worldly and trans-worldly forms to accomplish different deeds. Notably, the famous protector Palden Lhamo (specifically the form Magzor Gyalmo) and her servant Remati are said to have attained their power and lordship over the desire realm through the vision and empowerment of "Yum Ekazati".
Roles and Affiliations
• Guardian of Mantras: Her primary epithet is sngags srung. She ensures that the secret Dzogchen teachings are not disclosed to the unworthy and prevents the mantras from losing their power and efficacy. She is the chief of the mamo demonesses and can dispatch a retinue of one hundred iron she-wolves.
• Attendant to Tārā: Ekajaṭī frequently appears as a fierce companion to Green Tārā (Khadiravaṇī Tārā) and Mahāśrī Tārā, often paired with the peaceful goddess Aśokakāntā Marīcī. In this context, she represents the wrathful potential within the compassionate activity of Tārā and is sometimes identified as Ugra Tārā (Ferocious Tārā).
• Parent to Protectors: She is sometimes described as the mother of other protectors, such as the red Yam shud dmar po (whom she conceived with Kubera).

Interaction with Masters: Ekajaṭī is recorded as having appeared to the great Nyingma master Longchenpa. During an empowerment of the Khandro Nyingthig (Heart Essence of the Dakinis), she summoned a yogini to correct Longchenpa's pronunciation of the word rigs. She chanted mantras in the language of the ḍākinīs, thereby demonstrating her active role in preserving the lineage's accuracy.
Ritual Potency: The Sādhanamālā asserts the mantra's extreme potency. It is claimed that merely listening to her mantra frees a person from obstacles, destroys enemies, and ensures constant good fortune. However, practitioners are warned to recite it with great care, neither too quickly nor too slowly, to avoid adverse effects.