- Dhritarashtra – The Heavenly king of the Eastern Direction
- Virudhaka – The Heavenly King of the Southern Direction
- Virupaksha – The Heavenly King of the West Direction
- Vaishravana – the heavenly king of the North Direction
- Achala – One of the five wisdom kings of womb-realm
- Akshobhya Buddha – the second Dhyani Buddha
- Amitabha Buddha – the fourth Dhyani Buddhas
- Amoghasiddhi Buddha – The last of the five Dhyani Buddhas
- Ratnasambhava Buddha – The third of the five Dhyani Buddha
- Vairocana Buddha – the first of the five Dhyani Buddhas
- Aparmita Buddha – One of the three Buddhist Deities of long-life
- Avalokiteśvara – the Bodhisattva of compassion
- Amoghapasha Lokeshvara – The eight-armed form of Avalokiteshvara
- Cakrasaṃvara- The tantric emanation of Avalokiteśvara
- Cundi – The Female manifestation of Avalokiteshvara
- Sahasrabhuja Lokeshvara – thousand armed Avalokiteshvara
- Padmapani Lokeshvara – the oldest form of Avalokiteshvara
In this article we will read about Padmapani Lokeshvara, the meaning and origin of his name, His iconography, and why devotees worship Him.
What does Padmapani Lokeshvara signify
Padmapani Lokeshvara is a single-faced, two-armed deity and is possibly the oldest form of Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of compassion and is the most popular deity in the Buddhist pantheon. Padmapani Lokeshvara symbolizes compassion, mercy, and purity. He embodies the compassion of Avalokiteshvara in a way that is relatable to everyday people.
The meaning of the word Padmapani
Two Sanskrit words give us the term Padmapani: ‘Padma,’ meaning lotus, and ‘Pani,’ meaning hand.” This translates to “Lotus in Hand” or “Holder of the Lotus.” The name Padmapani holds significant Buddhist symbolism, as the lotus represents purity and enlightenment. The association of Padmapani with the lotus emphasizes the Bodhisattva’s commitment towards guiding sentient beings out of sufferings and into the luminous realm of wisdom.
The Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism, where Bodhisattvas play a crucial role in guiding practitioners towards enlightenment, trace Padmapani’s origin. The Lotus Sutra, a foundational Mahayana text emphasizing the universal potential for enlightenment, closely associates with Padmapani.
Depiction of Padmapani Lokeshvara in Buddhist art
Padmapani is a prevalent subject in Buddhist art and sculpture, especially in regions where Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism flourished. Temples, monasteries, and art galleries commonly display statues and paintings of Padmapani.
Some experts believe that only idols depicting Bodhisattva as a standing figure with one face and two arms, holding a lotus, should be classified as Padmapani. As the textual traditions do not include seated representations of Padmapani. According to them, in modern times, people generously use the term Padmapani to classify various iconographic forms of the one-faced, two-armed Bodhisattvas holding a lotus.
Iconography of Padmapani Lokeshvara
Facial Expression
Padmapani Lokeshvara carries a calm, understanding expression, sporting a subtle, sweet smile. His face portrays elegance and tranquility, embodying the profound kindness and generosity that characterize His nature, encouraging devotees to develop these traits within themselves.
Eyes
Padmapani Lokeshvara possesses two almond-shaped eyes that are either half-closed or fully open, accompanied by elongated eyebrows. He gazes upon all sentient beings with compassion, akin to Avalokiteshvara. This represents His unwavering attention to the well-being of individuals and His ability to discern the true nature of reality beneath the surface. Additionally, He has a fine nose situated between the gently arched brows above His eyes.
Jewelry and Attire
Padmapani Lokeshvara adorns himself with eight jewels and gold ornaments characteristic of a Bodhisattva, reflecting His divine attributes, regal status, and enlightened experience. He wears a golden necklace with precious gems and pendant jewels, bracelets, floral armlets, large-looped earrings, a belt adorned with loops of jewels, and an ornate neck choker.
His attire is made of silk golden motifs. His dhoti bellows in voluminous folds between the legs and is secured across thighs with a loosely draped sash. The sacred thread hangs from His shoulder across His torso and thighs. He also wears antelope skin on His shoulder.
Hairs & Crown
Padmapani Lokeshvara’s hair is either entirely knotted into a crown or half-tied in a topknot, with the remainder cascading over His shoulders. The top knot or ushnisha, symbolizes His lofty spirituality, while the flowing hair His dedication to and connection with sentient beings. He wears an ornate crown studded with radiant gems. As He is linked with Amitabha Buddha as His spiritual Guru His crown features an image of Amitabha Buddha In some instances. When the idol of Padmapani Lokeshvara does not bear this image, He is white in color.
Skin Color
There are usually three skin-color forms of Padmapani Lokeshvara. The white color form shows His transcendence and purity; the blue color form shows His wisdom and limitless presence and the gold color shows His pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment.
Companions and Surroundings
Padmapani Lokeshvara is usually part of a triad, the other two being Vajrapani and Manjushree. Together this triad symbolizes power (Vajrapani), wisdom (Manjushree) and compassion (Padmapani). The mountains, rivers and lotus ponds in distance, in the paintings of Padmapani Lokeshvara, signifies the pristine land of enlightenment where Padmapani Lokeshvara leads his devotees towards.
The Pose
Padmapani idols are in both the tribhanga and dvibhanga poses. In tribhanga pose head slightly tilts one side, and the hips jut out to the opposite side, resulting in the appearance of the body forming three distinct angles.
Dvibhanga depicts two angles with the head being straight and upright.
Sometimes the idols are in erect posture with the legs together as well.
He stands gracefully on a moon disc and a lotus pedestal that floats above a rippling lake.
Padampani Lokeshvara possesses a well-defined muscular body, a slender waist, wide and round thighs, and broad shoulders. His sitting posture symbolizes meditation and spiritual steadiness, while his standing position signifies readiness to act with compassion.
At times, the semi-wrathful form of the wealth god kneels before Him, holding a tray of jewels in his left hand and a wish-granting jewel in his right hand.
Hand Gestures
His body is typically red in color. His right hand is in the boon-granting varada mudra, in his left hand, he holds the stem of a blossoming lotus flower, symbolizing the purity of thoughts. The lotus holds profound significance in all Indic religions, representing purity and enlightenment as it emerges unsullied from murky waters and blossoms in pristine air. Similarly, in the dark sea of samsara, Padampani Lokeshvara, holding a lotus, represents the path for all beings to attain enlightenment. His right hand holding the lotus is usually in the vitarka mudra (exposition gesture).
Festivals and Celebrations
Certain Buddhist traditions dedicate festivals and celebrations to honor Padmapani. These events typically involve rituals, prayers, and processions, enabling devotees to express their devotion and seek the Bodhisattva’s blessings.
As a guiding light on the path to enlightenment, Padmapani serves as a reminder of the boundless compassion and wisdom that individuals can nurture within themselves, ultimately leading to the liberation of all sentient beings from suffering.
Why Worship Padampani Lokeshvara
Devotion to Padampani Lokeshvara involves engaging in practices such as recitation of mantras, meditation and making offerings, all aimed at cultivating a compassionate heart. Padampani Lokeshvara signifies purity and spiritual awareness, which He bestows upon His followers and devotees. The devotees worship Him to gain knowledge, open their hearts to the suffering of others, and make a firm commitment to strive ceaselessly for the liberation of all creatures from suffering.
Popular legend relating to the name of Padmapani
Once an elephant was coming out of a pond after picking up a lotus flower. Unfortunately, he got swamped and could not come out. He cried in agony and prayed for Narayana.
At the same time, Avalokiteshvara was in the jungle and heard the prayer. He immediately took the form of Narayana and rescued the elephant from the marshy pond. Out of gratitude, the elephant offered the lotus flower to Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara accepted the lotus offered by the elephant and proceeded to Jetavana Grove, where Buddha Shakyamuni was residing. He then presented the flower to Buddha Shakyamuni.
Buddha Shakyamuni thanked Avalokiteshvara for His offer of the lotus flower and requested Him to offer it to Amitabha Buddha on His behalf. Avalokiteshvara told the entire story to Amitabha Buddha and offered Him the flower. Appreciating the philanthropic deeds of Avalokiteshvara, Amitabha Buddha told him to keep that lotus flower forever and continue such act of benefitting all sentient beings. Later on, this form of Avalokiteshvara was known as Padmapani Lokeshvara.
References
The Indian Buddhist Iconography by Benoytosh Bhattacharyya
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