Toh 571The Spell of Jāṅgulī

An Exposition of the Sutra of the Spell of Jāṅgulī

Context

The Sutra of the Spell of Jāṅgulī (Jāṅgulīvidyā) is one of the important texts of the Northern Transmission of Mahayana Buddhism, preserved in the Kangyur (the Tibetan Canon). This work focuses especially on the accomplishment of the goddess Jāṅgulī, a manifestation of wisdom and protective power in the system of Tibetan tantric practice.

Jāṅgulī is known as a queen of the Buddha Dharma, able to remove obstacles and protect those who practice sincerely. The name “Jāṅgulī” is connected with wild forests, places where the spirit is purified of worldly bonds. In the context of Tibetan tantra, she is regarded as a manifestation of altruistic bodhicitta and the power that destroys ignorance (avidyā-vidhvaṁsaka), through which aspirations and hindrances are dispelled.

Main Content

This sutra presents sacred spells (mantra) and practice visualizations (sādhana) related to Jāṅgulī. The object of practice invokes this queen through spells of special structure, each syllable bearing profound symbolic meaning. These spells are not naive prayers, but direct expressions of awakened qualities.

The sutra describes the process of visualizing Jāṅgulī in the mind: she appears in the form of a graceful goddess, often described as yellow or brilliant red, symbolizing transformation. Around her are natural elements: fire, wind, and light, all symbolizing the destruction of delusions. The process of practice includes the union of the practitioner’s mind with the bodhicitta of Jāṅgulī, a state called yuganaddha (pairing, or union).

The root mantra is structured from seed syllables, including elements such as “jāṁ,” “hūṁ,” and “phaṭ,” each containing purifying and protective power.