Sri Hayagriva and Tam Drin (Horse-necked deity ) of Tibetan Buddhism

From the Bhakti List Archives

• September 29, 2000


Dear BhakthAs :
Regarding Sri Srinath Chakravarthy's observation 
on the form of Hayagriva as a deity in Tibetean Yogic
Saadhanaas , It is known as tam Drin .

Most of the Hindu Gods have been  adopted by 
Tibetan Buddhism and given new twists .

Tam Drin or Tibetan " HayagrivA " is more close to
a Kaala Bhairava form of Lord SivA . It is a very 
wrathful deity represented in red color in Tibetan
ManadalAs with 3 faces , 6 hands and 4 legs. Right face 
has a white hue and the left is greenish color. This 
form of "HayagrivA " embraces his consort known as
"Dorje Phagmo". She is more akin to KaaLi or Kaala Bhairavi
with a black hue.She has a skull cap in Her hand.
Tibetan "Hayagrivan " has three horse's heads on
his crown and has Vajra wings and skull bone necklace.
Snakes are worn as jewelery .This form of tantric god is
housed in the MahA Yoga tradition of Inner Tantra .
It came to Tibet from Bodh Gaya tantric set.

In summary , there is no connection whatsoever between
Lord HayagrIvan of our sampradhAyam and the Tantric
God of Buddhism worshipped in Tibet.

V.Sadagopan 

  


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