ASTROLOGICAL TANTRIC SCULPTURES

Rahula, the Buddhist Protector God: Along with Ekajati and Dorje Legpa, Rahula, whose name actually means "The grasper of Rahu," serves as one of the three basic Nyingma guardians. Khyab 'jug chen po, the Tibetan moniker for the Supreme Hindu divinity Vishnu, is yet another title by which he is generally alluded to in Tibetan. The eclipse demon Rahu, a member of the nine different planets in the Indian zodiac, and Vishnu are therefore merged to form the Tibetan Rahula, a deity who encompasses both these elements. Vishnu is well recognized in Indian mythology for having removed Rahu's head when the latter seized the nectar of eternity from the deities. Rahu's everlasting decapitated head ceaselessly pursues and, upon occasion, momentarily consumes the sun and moon since he is furious against them for revealing him to Vishnu, causing eclipses.

Rahula was a Buddhist scholar by the moniker of "Planet Man '' in a previous lifetime, according to a Nyingma document named The History of the Seer. The emperor's four wives requested Planet Man to operate as the imperial minister of his local king. The emperor then commanded Planet Man to be burned at the stake after wrongly accusing him of being in a relationship with the queens. He swore to seek vengeance before he died unexpectedly, pledging to come back to life as a devil to kill anyone and everyone who perpetrated injustice. The queens accepted similar vows and perished after Planet Man. Planet Man was again reincarnated as Khyab 'jug chen po, as the son of a nagini who dwelt in the sea at the base of the celestial peak and a rakshasa who resided at its peak.  The mother of rakshasas is frequently alluded to as "Frog-Headed Blood-Eye '', and the father of rakshasas can sometimes be described as being a reflection or projection of Manjushri-Yamantaka. Rahula consequently has a rakshasa-naga fusion appearance.

His previous four queens resurrected as his siblings, four rakshasa with different animal faces. These female devils, together with the cosmos and the twenty-eight lunar luminaries, are generally depicted as Rahula's primary entourage of goddesses. A Makara Banner fashioned from the fileted flesh and head of a Makara is in his top right hand. A dhwaja symbolizes any type of triumph or dominance in Buddhism. A Makara is a water dragon produced by merging together various animals. The burning of the Five Afflicting Poisons by the Buddha and his triumph over the Four Maras are depicted by the Makhara Banner. He wields a Naga Bow in his right lower hand, ready to launch an arrow into the soul of everyone who poses a threat to the Buddhist teachings. The bow and arrow pairing also symbolizes the crucial knowledge and levels of education and training that need to be coupled in order to achieve the condition of Ultimate Bliss. The human skin enveloping his back represents his defeat of misperception, that is thought to be the severe adverse ailment. Ignorance has a substantial role in the notion of delusion.

Rahula, like many other Tibetan heavenly gods, seems to have the power to utilize his vast superpowers for both good and evil. His cavernous mouths are pouring out torrents of disease, in addition to firing arrows and bows at individuals who violate religious vows and trapping renegades from the Buddhist path using his snake-noise. The accompanying deities with animal heads and ferocious animals are emblematic of the ceremonial application of the mural to fend off calamities (such as plagues, mass starvation, and conflicts) and treat infections caused by Dud devils.

FAQS

Q1. What is the tantra attached with Rahula?

The Black Nail Tantra, which can be found in the Nyingma Gyubum, is the primary root tantra centered on Rahula.

Q2. How is Rahula generally portrayed?

The typical representation of the Rahula comprises a snake tail, nine faces, each of which is adorned with a raven, a visage in his stomach, and four limbs.