Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
This text provides a ritual manual, or sādhana, for the practice of the Single-Mudrā Heruka. The work outlines a sequence of preparatory and meditative actions designed to facilitate a direct encounter with the deity. It begins with physical and internal purification, followed by the external arrangement of the ritual space through the establishment of a maṇḍala and offerings. The practitioner is then directed to engage in a visualization process, centering on the seed syllable HRĪḤ within the heart to generate light rays that invite the wisdom glory Heruka into the practitioner's immediate space. The text concludes with a formal act of prostration and a supplication for accomplishment. By following these instructions, the reader commits to a structured path of visualization and devotion intended to bridge the gap between the practitioner and the vajra deity.
Provenance
About this text
A ritual manual for the practice of the Single-Mudrā Heruka, this sādhana belongs to the classical Tibetan tradition. The work is preserved in the Tengyur, specifically volume ཡ, where it comprises two pages and is situated within the Other Wisdom Tantras collection. The text enacts a structured sequence of meditative and physical preparations, beginning with the purification of the outer and inner gates and the arrangement of offerings and torma. It directs the practitioner to visualize the seed syllable HRĪḤ within a moon maṇḍala at the heart, from which light radiates to invite the wisdom glory Heruka and the gurus into the space before the practitioner. This process culminates in formal prostrations and a supplication to the Vajra Holder for the granting of accomplishment. A scholar or serious reader consults this text today to examine the specific visualization techniques and devotional protocols used to facilitate a direct encounter with the deity through the integration of mental and physical offerings.
The text is significant as a representative example of the Anuttarayoga Tantra tradition's emphasis on deity yoga and the use of seed syllables for visualization. For the modern reader, it illustrates the precise intersection of physical ritual, mental concentration, and devotional supplication in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist praxis.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1
Preparations and Visualization
Instructions for purification, altar arrangement, and the visualization of the seed syllable HRĪḤ.
2
Invocation and Supplication
The invitation of the wisdom glory Heruka and the performance of ritual prostrations and prayers.
Themes
Ritual Purification (1)
Deity Yoga and Visualization (1-2)
Devotional Supplication (2)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
The Sādhana of the Single-Mudrā Heruka
First, rise early in the morning and purify the outer and inner gates. Then, arrange the maṇḍala, offerings, and torma. Next, meditate on a dark blue syllable HRĪḤ upon a moon maṇḍala at your heart. From that, light rays radiate, inviting the wisdom deities together with the gurus into the space before you. Consecrate the aforementioned offerings with the three syllables and present them. Then, perform the seven-branch offering. Following that, request forbearance with the hundred-syllable mantra and meditate on non-objectification.
Recite: OṂ ŚŪNYATĀ-JÑĀNA-VAJRA-SVABHĀVA-ĀTMAKO ‘HAṂ. By saying this, meditate on emptiness. From within that state, from the appearance of the syllable HŪṂ, meditate on the protective wheel according to the source text: the fence, the lattice, and the ground. Inside the protective wheel, meditate on a red eight-petaled lotus. At its center is a sun maṇḍala, upon which meditate on a dark blue syllable HRĪḤ. From the transformation of these, meditate on the hand-symbol, a khaṭvāṅga. From its further transformation, meditate on the glorious Vajra Heruka, dark blue in color, with four faces and four arms and two legs. In his right hands he holds an arrow and a skull-cup; in his left, a bow and a khaṭvāṅga. His head is adorned with Akṣobhya, and he wears a crown of dry skulls and a necklace of fresh skulls. Meditate on him dwelling amidst reddish-purple light rays. At his heart, upon a moon, meditate on the seed-syllable HRĪḤ, a blue letter.
From that, light radiates, inviting the wisdom glory Heruka into the space before one. With palms joined, one pays homage:
"I bow and prostrate; I prostrate and bow. I prostrate and praise; I prostrate and bow. With devotion, I make this supplication to you: O Vajra Holder, please grant me accomplishment!"
Having said this, if actual offerings are available, present them. If not, offer mentally created offerings. Then, offer praise:
"Terrifying with bared fangs, adorned with garlands of mantra flowers, you who always partake of the great flesh—to the glorious Heruka, I prostrate and bow."
Then, visualize that he melts into light and dissolves into oneself. Next, focus the mind on the syllable Hrīḥ at the heart and meditate, setting a session limit. During the session breaks, recite "Oṃ Āḥ Hrīḥ Hūṃ." When concluding the session of absorption, mentally request the wisdom deity to depart. The samaya deity should be visualized as non-referential. When entering the next session, generate the deity instantaneously. Invite the wisdom deity with light rays from the seed syllable, dissolve them, and meditate as before.
This concludes the sādhana of the single-mudrā Heruka.