Hayagriva - The Protector of Horses

Hayagriva is worshipped in Tibet principally by horse-dealers because he is believed to frighten away demons by neighing like a horse. When invoked, he is said to announce his coming by neighing, which accounts for the presence of a horse's head, his distinctive mark, in his head-dress. The horse's head neighs loudly, and the sound is said to pierce all false appearances of substantiality, revealing the shining reality of freedom. His mantra contains the following verse:

"I request that you protect all horses. Increase the number of mares. For from the mother of the horse many supreme horses will be born. Please disperse the obstacles on the Path and reveal the right direction."

Hayagriva is a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. There are believed to be 108 forms of Hayagriva. His special ability is to cure diseases, especially skin diseases even as serious as leprosy, which is said to be caused by the nagas (malignant water spirits with serpent bodies).

Typically, he is depicted with one face, two arms and two legs. Everything about him is terrific - his scowling face with three glaring eyes, the roaring mouth with protruding fangs, his pose of warrior's aggressiveness, his broad belly bulging with inner energy, the right hand raised threateningly, his left hand holding a skull-cup and his snake ornaments. His beautiful, terrific aspect expresses compassion's fierce determination to help us overcome inner egotistic addictions and outer obstructions.

This sculpture was created in the city of Patan, near Kathmandu