Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
This text provides a ritual manual, or sādhana, for the deity Dudsolma (Sanskrit: Dhūmāṅgārī), focusing on the practical application of visualization and offering to achieve specific aims. The procedure begins with an act of homage and a commitment to the benefit of others, transitioning into a sophisticated visualization practice. The practitioner is instructed to project fierce, multicolored light rays from mantra syllables located at the heart to strike a seed syllable, suggesting a process of subjugation or purification. The ritual concludes with a phase of propitiation, where the practitioner offers cakes and nectar to the 'smoke-charcoal' entity to satisfy it before requesting the fulfillment of desired goals. By following these steps, the reader commits to a precise sequence of mental projection and material offering designed to manage malevolent obstructors and secure favorable outcomes through the agency of the deity.
Provenance
About this text
A sādhana dedicated to the deity Dudsolma, this work belongs to the classical Tibetan tradition. It is attributed to the Indian author Vanaratnapāda. The text was translated into Tibetan by Vanaratnapāda and ’tsho ba’i btsun pa bsod nams rgya mtsho’i sde, and it is preserved in the Tengyur, volume ཤ, as part of the Other Wisdom Tantras collection. Spanning two pages in this edition, the work enacts a ritual process designed to subdue malevolent obstructors. It guides the mantrin through a sequence of homage, the projection of fierce mantra light rays from the heart to strike a seed syllable, and the propitiation of the smoke-charcoal entity with nectar and offering cakes. By satisfying the deity through these ritual means and resolving that all phenomena are of the nature of emptiness, the practitioner seeks the fulfillment of desired aims. A scholar or serious reader consults this text today to examine the specific visualization techniques and offering protocols used in the practice of Dudsolma, providing insight into the intersection of mental projection and material ritual within the broader context of the Wisdom Tantras.
Sanskrit title
not recorded
Indian author
Vanaratnapāda
Tibetan translators
Vanaratnapāda, ’tsho ba’i btsun pa bsod nams rgya mtsho’i sde
The text is significant as it illustrates the intersection of meditative visualization and ritual propitiation within the Indo-Tibetan tradition. It demonstrates how specific deities are employed to subdue obstacles and fulfill worldly or spiritual desires through structured liturgical acts.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1
Introduction
Identification of the deity in Sanskrit and Tibetan and the initial homage.
2
Visualization Practice
Instructions for emanating mantra light rays from the heart to strike a seed syllable.
3
Propitiation and Request
Guidelines for offering nectar and cakes to the deity to achieve desired aims.
Themes
Subjugation of obstacles (1-2)
Ritual offerings (3)
Mantra visualization (2)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
In the language of India: Dhūmāṅgārī-sādhana. In the language of Tibet: Dud sol ma'i sgrub thabs (The Sādhana of Dudsolma). Homage to Dudsolma!
First, having bowed to Dudsolma, who subdues the hosts of malevolent obstructors, I shall explain her sādhana for the benefit of others.
In this regard, first of all, the mantrin should sit upon a comfortable seat in a place and location that are agreeable to his own mind. Having preceded this with taking refuge and generating the mind of enlightenment (bodhicitta), and being knowledgeable in the specific ritual of whichever particular deity he chooses, he should personally complete the yoga of the chosen deity, the recitation of the mantra, and so forth.
In the space before him, he should instantly visualize the Bhagavatī Dudsolma, with her body color, hands, shape, and so on, as previously described. Furthermore:
With her right hand, she brandishes a sharp, tempered sword aloft;
In her left hand, she holds a vessel of blood from those who harm living beings;
She utterly crushes the fierce pride of Brahmā, Indra, Viṣṇu, and the rest—
One should meditate upon this Dudpa'i Solba Ma (Dhūmāṅgārī) with a very stable mind.
Through the yoga of one’s own chosen deity, from the extremely clear syllables of the mantra to be recited at one’s heart, emanate masses of mantra light rays that are sharp, coarse, fierce, and cruel—light rays as difficult to endure as their respective colors. These rays strike the seed syllable HŪṂ, which is like smoke, situated in the center of a sun maṇḍala upon the lotus of the heart of Duṃsola-ma. One should intensely incite her by repeatedly agitating and shaking her.
Then, her heart being tormented by those unbearable and fierce light rays, and unable to endure the torment, she recognizes the practitioner’s desired objective. From the seed syllable in her own heart, she emanates even more intense light rays of that same kind. These strike and expel all malicious obstructors who cause harm to the practitioner, destroying them without exception. Perceiving that the practitioner is now free from obstructors, she complies with whatever task is desired and promises to follow all instructions. Visualizing her standing there, asking, “What shall I do?” one should recite the mantra: OṂ DHŪMĀNGĀRĪYE HŪṂ SVĀHĀ, as many times as possible.
When one becomes weary and wishes to rise, one should prostrate to one’s chosen deity, make offerings, and offer authentic praise. Then, one should dedicate whatever virtue has been obtained toward unsurpassed enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.
Request forgiveness and request the wisdom being to depart. As for the "smoke-charcoal" (dhūmāṅgāra): by satisfying it with the offering cake, offerings, and nectar according to the ritual, and having thus perfectly pleased it, one should request one's desired aims. Then, having resolved that all phenomena are of the nature of emptiness, being merely dependent origination, one should abide in the state of non-elaboration with the mantra: oṃ akāro mukhaṃ sarvadharmāṇām ādyanutpannatvāt. This is the method for accomplishing the smoke-charcoal. It was composed by the great accomplished master, the glorious Vanaratnapāda.
Translation status: Not among 84000's published translations, and not in progress there. Translations published elsewhere have not been searched for, so one may exist. (source: 84000 catalogue + registry; checked 2026-11-10).
Set in Newsreader and EB Garamond; Tibetan in Noto Serif Tibetan; Chinese in Noto Serif SC.