Rahula
(Tib. kyab jug): wrathful protector of the Revealed Treasure Tradition.
Fiercely wrathful, black in color, with nine heads, each face has
three large eyes and a gaping mouth with exposed fangs. On the stomach
is the large face of the original Rahula who devoured the nine celestial
planets. The body is covered with numerous eyes. In the first pair
of hands are a drawn bow and arrow. The second right holds aloft
a makara stick and the left a snake lasso. Adorned with crowns of
five skulls and gold earrings he wears a green scarf and various
colored lower garments. The lower body is that of a coiled naga
serpent, dark blue in color, rising out of a blood filled black
triangle enclosure; surrounded by orange flames and black smoke.
In a skullcup in front is a large triangular red torma offering
(stylized food) with two more offering skullcups arranged at the
sides of the enclosure.
"From a fierce E [syllable] in a realm equal to space, the Lord
arises out of wrathful activity, smoky, with nine heads, four hands
and a thousand blazing eyes; homage to the Great Rahula - Protector
of the Teachings." (Nyingma liturgical verse).
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