Chapter 2: The Ritual Procedure for Accomplishing the Yamāntaka Maṇḍala

Furthermore, the supreme mandala ritual can instill great awe throughout the three realms and fulfill all wishes and desires. This is called the "Mandala Accomplishment Method of the Terrifying One." The practitioner of the vidyā must first select a suitable location according to their preference—such as beneath a large tree, in a charnel ground, within an empty dwelling, beside a crossroads, in the mountains, between two stupas, within a garden or grove, atop a mountain peak, on a riverbank or seashore, inside a cattle pen, on a battlefield, at a temple of Maheshvara, or in any other tranquil place—and there establish the mandala.

Next, one must purify the site in accordance with the method: remove all impure objects from the area, such as thorns, tiles, stones, gravel, bones, hair, and wooden stakes. Then, cleanse the mandala ground with a mixture of five medicinal herbs, pure water, and cow dung. The practitioner should bathe the night before, maintain pure precepts and fasting, focus the mind with single-pointed concentration, and recite this great mantra for self-protection.

Furthermore, using silk-cotton or hemp, twist a three-ply cord to mark out the square mandala. Begin from the eastern side and proceed in proper sequence to the four directions and four corners. Once the cord is laid, use cremation ash powder to draw the four gates at the four directions and four corners of the mandala. Only the southern gate is to be left open; the other three remain closed. At the center of the mandala, powder a lotus flower. Then, starting from the northeast corner and following the method in sequence, draw all the sages and the treasure-scepter seal with cremation ash. At each of the four gates of the mandala, draw one form of the Terrifying One. On the central lotus, draw a fifth form of the Terrifying One, adorned with skulls. Thus, within the mandala, every detail should be completely and properly fulfilled according to the method.

Furthermore, there are eight types of mandalas: - A mandala one cubit wide is for regular offerings. - A mandala two cubits wide is for averting misfortune and increasing benefits. - A mandala three cubits wide is for dispelling hostile forces. - A mandala four cubits wide is for inspiring affection and summoning. - A mandala five cubits wide is for averting calamities and curing illnesses. - A mandala six cubits wide is for subduing demons and neutralizing planetary influences. - A mandala seven cubits wide is for summoning deities and inspiring their affection. - A mandala eight cubits wide is for accomplishing all desired aims.

If a mandala larger than eight cubits is made without following the proper method, it will certainly not succeed. After drawing the mandala, the practitioner should place a full bowl of perfumed water, a full bowl of various exquisite flowers, along with aloeswood, sandalwood, benzoin resin, butter lamps, and oil lamps—arranging them in proper sequence according to the method—and thus will surely attain accomplishment.

Furthermore, when performing the Great Wicked Mandala ritual, the mantra holder uses Nīlīvasā as the lamp, and employs wine, meat, fish, and various foods for the offerings. The practitioner then pays homage to all Buddhas and awakens the mind of enlightenment. At this time, the mantra holder, following the method, draws within the mandala the forms of sages and their symbols. If unable to draw, one should visualize according to the method: upon the lotus within the mandala, there are subtle characters transforming into the *Bhrītaṅkaṭa*. Further visualize a jeweled staff at each of the four corners of the mandala, and a *bhrīta* at each of the four gates, then recite the *bhrīta* great mantra. After reciting thus, visualize within the mandala the eight symbols, namely: Hastā, Panaśira, Sakaṇḍa, Bujaka, Rūṭa Kinna, Jali, Manaṭra, and Śvamala. Having visualized thus, recite this great mantra to manifest them, then invite the Great Wrathful King Yamāntaka to enter one's own heart. His body is black, with a fierce appearance, possessing great majesty, surrounded by blazing flames. He has six faces, each with three eyes of reddish-yellow color. His hair and eyebrows are also reddish-yellow. He has six feet, each trampling a *bhrīta*. He has twelve arms: the first right hand bestows blessings, the second holds a hook, the third a trident, the fourth a sword, the fifth a jeweled staff, the sixth an axe; the first left hand holds a skull, the second a banner, the third a *dumaraṅ*, the fourth a lasso, the fifth raises the index finger, the sixth holds a jeweled staff. He wears a garland of half-dry, half-moist human heads and is clad in a tiger skin. His body is large with a broad belly, his face displays various wrathful expressions, fierce and shifting like a boiling sea. His appearance is not fixed: sometimes wrathful, sometimes benevolent, sometimes extremely fierce, sometimes terrifying, sometimes with mouth open and tongue out, sometimes revealing teeth. Thus, one draws with powder or visualizes accordingly. Having visualized thus, offer perfumed water as arghya and red flowers. Upon the head of the *bhrīta*, further offer red sandalwood flowers and garlands to the crown of Yamāntaka, then recite Yamāntaka's heart great mantra. The mantra holder visualizes this heart great mantra of the wrathful king entering his own heart, recites the head mantra while visualizing it upon the head, recites the crown mantra while visualizing it upon the crown, recites the armor mantra while visualizing it as armor. Having visualized thus, recite the incense mantra and offer incense, then light lamps at the four directions and four corners of the mandala as offerings. Offer various foods and exquisite incense and flowers to the Wrathful King Yamāntaka. Further offer various foods to the *bhrīta* and all spirits. Place a full bowl of pure water and a full bowl of fine incense outside the mandala. Then, following the method, have the disciple bathe and purify himself. Recite the wrathful king's great mantra to empower a flower, have the disciple hold this flower with two fingers, cover his head and face with cloth, and recite the names of the Three Jewels. The master then leads the disciple into the mandala, has him make vows, throws the flower into the mandala, removes the face cloth, and recognizes the deity. The master teaches the disciple the jeweled staff mudra and the secret samadhi mudra of the Three Jewels, then sprinkles perfumed water on the disciple's head, offers incense and flowers, and bestows upon the disciple the heart great mantra of the wrathful king. Having received the great mantra, the disciple bows with head and face to the ground, makes offerings to the master according to his ability, and whatever wishes the disciple holds will certainly be fulfilled. Further place a full bowl of perfumed water east of the mandala as an offering of arghya water to the wrathful king. The master then recites the dismissal mantra, sending the Great Wrathful King Yamāntaka back to his original abode. Offer arghya water within the mandala. By consistently practicing according to this method, one can attain immeasurable and supreme worldly blessings.