The Four-Armed Mahākāla: Embodiment of the Four Karmas

Four Armed Mahakala - མགོན་པོ་ཕྱག་བཞི་པ། - 四臂大黑天

Mahākāla, known as the Great Black One, is a fierce aspect of Avalokiteshvara and is widely recognized as a Dharmapala, or Protector of the Dharma, in all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Often simply called "the Lord," he is portrayed in texts as a dark and formidable deity, referred to as the "demon who steals the vital essence of people." His dark nature reflects the terrifying beings in his entourage. 

In the Daikoku Tenjin-hō, Mahākāla is represented as a form of Maheśvara (Śiva), who is said to dwell near Ujjayinī and wander the forest at night accompanied by a legion of demons that consume flesh and blood. A commentary by the Shingon priest Ejū states, “He is Daijizaiten [Maheśvara], who delights in blood and flesh.” However, this disturbing characteristic takes on a spiritual aspect, as it is revealed that Mahākāla consumes only those who have transgressed against the Three Jewels. 

Iconography of Four Armed Mahakala

    The Dakini Tamer 

    The classic Buddhist text regarding dākinīs is the story of their subjugation by Mahākāla in the Mahāvairocana-sūtra (Japanese: Dainichikyō). The Chinese monk Yixing (683–727) comments on this text, explaining that Mahāvairocana, in the form of Mahākāla, tamed the dākinīs by swallowing them. Mahākāla then agreed to release them on the condition that they stop consuming human flesh. When the dākinīs protested that this would lead to their starvation, he relented and permitted them to consume the vital essence of humans, referred to as the “human yellow.” Therefore, the taming of the dākinīs by Mahākāla does not obscure the fundamental similarity between the tamer and the tamed. It is important to note that Mahākāla, the “god of battles,” like the dākinīs, also devours the vital spirit of humans.

    Symbolism of the Four Karmas

    Mahākāla has over seventy different forms, and each school tends to favor certain ones. While there are Mahakalas in various colors, they are commonly depicted as large, blue-black figures who are extremely wrathful. The Four-Armed Mahākāla’s each arm symbolizes one of the four karmas, or actions, that define the main tasks of this form. These actions are: (1) subduing sickness, hindrances, and troubles; (2) increasing life, good qualities, and wisdom to attract what Dharma practitioners need and to guide people toward the Dharma; and (3) destroying confusion, doubt, and ignorance.

    References

    • Vessantara. (2008). A guide to the deities of the Tantra. Windhorse Publications. 
    • Faure, B. (2015). Protectors and predators: Gods of Medieval Japan, Volume 2. University of Hawaii Press. 
    • De Nebesky-Wojkowitz, R. (1996). Oracles and Demons of Tibet: The Cult and Iconography of the Tibetan Protective Deities (2nd ed.). Book Faith India. 

    Other forms of Four Armed Mahakala

      Commonly associated with

        Four Armed Mahakala