Sutra of Vaishravana, the Heavenly King
At that time, the Heavenly King Vaisravana stood before the Buddha, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha: "World-Honored One, for the sake of future sentient beings—to bring them benefit, happiness, abundant wealth, and to protect the realms of nations—I wish to speak my own true mantra. This mantra of mine is like the precious gemstone of cintamani, capable of fulfilling all wishes. World-Honored One, please grant me permission to speak it."
The Buddha replied: "Excellent, excellent, Heavenly King! Out of compassion for sentient beings, you may speak it freely as you wish."
At that moment, Vaisravana, the Guardian King of the North, was filled with boundless joy. Then, before the Buddha, he recited the mantra of the heart, saying:
At that time, after speaking this mantra, Vaiśravaṇa Devarāja addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, I will now explain the method for receiving and upholding the mantra. First, take benzoin, sandalwood, borneol, tagara, frankincense, and storax. Blend these incenses together and offer them to me, Vaiśravaṇa Devarāja. When inviting [the deity], form the root mudrā, then, using the two index fingers, draw [the presence] toward the body three times. Recite the mantra seven times, then release the mudrā above the crown of the head.”
Tadyathā. Namo Vaiśravaṇāya. Namo Dhanadāya. Dhanīśvarāya. Aghaṭa ghaṭa. Abhirmita Dhanīśvara. Pramukharuṇika. Sarva-sattva-hitārthita. Mama dhanamāna-prayaccha. Svāyamāṅgeṣa svāhā.
If the practitioner recites without interruption, then Prince Shenisha of Vaisravana will appear in the form of a youth and ask the reciter, "For what matter have you summoned my father?" The reciter replies, "I wish to make offerings to the Three Jewels; please grant me wealth and treasures." The youth Shenisha, in a moment, returns to Vaisravana and tells his father, "The reciter seeks wealth and treasures for the purpose of making offerings and benefiting sentient beings." Vaisravana then instructs the youth Shenisha, "Give him one hundred gold coins every day, until the end of his life." The youth Shenisha then delivers one hundred gold coins to the reciter each day, placing them by his head. These gold coins have a rare and wonderful fragrance. The practitioner who receives them should, aside from using what is necessary for himself, practice generosity and not hoard them out of stinginess. He should always cultivate great compassion toward all sentient beings and avoid giving rise to anger. With superior incense, flowers, food, drink, and lamps, he should make proper offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha in a quiet place, while also maintaining uninterrupted contemplation. Out of gratitude for Vaisravana and his retinue, he should always recite auspicious praises so that the heavenly king may obtain all blessings. May Vaisravana, his sons, daughters, and retinue, his inner and outer relatives, his ministers, messengers, attendants, and all sentient beings within his realm obtain the ten kinds of benefits praised by the Buddha: namely, pure faith, moral discipline, learning, generosity, acceptance, wisdom, dignified appearance, strength, eloquence, and the enjoyment of forms, sounds, scents, tastes, and touches, along with wealth and freedom. May they open the Dharma-eye within the Buddha's teachings, realize the holy fruits, attain the wondrous Dharma of nectar, and also obtain the thirty-seven aids to enlightenment. If the reciter makes such aspirations every day, Vaisravana will be delighted and say to his own retinue, "Observe how this reciter holds deep reverence for me."
Then he further instructed Prince Shreshti, saying: 'If the reciter wishes to see me, the Yaksa King Vaisravana, or to close the gates to the evil realms, and desires all their supreme aspirations to be fulfilled—to live for countless hundreds and thousands of years, to obtain the wish-fulfilling jewel, to soar through the sky, to attain the Anuttara (supreme state) and to discover hidden treasures; if they wish for the respect and affection of men, women, and rulers; to understand the speech of all birds and beasts; and to gain abundant wealth, forever free from poverty and want—then the reciter should do this:
On the eighth and fifteenth days of the bright fortnight (the waxing moon), have a painter observe the eight precepts. The painter should bathe and wear new, clean clothes. Use uncut white cloth for the painting, and do not use animal-hide glue in the pigments.
In the center, paint Shakyamuni Buddha in the posture of teaching the Dharma.
To the right of the Buddha, paint the form of the Auspicious Goddess (Shri Devi). Her eyes should be wide and long, her countenance serene and peaceful. She wears a celestial crown, and her body is adorned with necklaces, armlets, and bracelets. Her right hand is in the gesture of granting boons (varada mudra), and her left hand holds a fully bloomed lotus flower.
Once the painting is complete, install the image in a pure place and make offerings. Offer fragrant paste, flower garlands, incense, food, drink, and lamps to honor the Buddha and the Auspicious Goddess.
The practitioner should not harbor an inferior mind or give rise to fear. With a resolute and determined mind, they should correctly recite this mantra of the Auspicious Goddess:
Homage to Śrī Ghananāya. Homage to Vaiśramaṇaya. Homage to the great Yakṣa Rāja Dhīra Rājaya. Homage to Śrīyā. Homage to Mahādevī.
Tadyathā: Oṃ, trāṭ trāṭ, turu turu, susṭhu susṭhu, maṇikana kana, vajravaiṇurya, muktanā māṅgikta, bhoḥ, sarva satva, hitakāma vaiśramaṇa śriyāṇi vī, marapi, ehehi, guraṇa guraṇa, masa masa, narasaya siddhi, nanā hīmi, narasanā kāmaśa, narasanāṃ, prahara hara nāyamanosvāhā.
At that moment, Vaiśravaṇa, seeing the practitioner reciting this mantra and making offerings to the Tathāgata, took pity on the practitioner and manifested in person. He appeared in the form of a youth or a householder, holding a wish-fulfilling jewel in his right hand and a golden casket in his left, his countenance serene as he approached the image. After paying respects to the Buddha image, he addressed the practitioner, saying: "What is it you seek from me now? Is it to enter the cave of the asuras? To find hidden treasures? To master the control of fire and quicksilver? To gain the favor of King Antarāla? To achieve mastery over realgar? To attain the eye medicine? To accomplish the vidyādhara practices? To fly through the skies? To live for a great kalpa? All such wishes can be fulfilled." The reciter replied to Vaiśravaṇa, "May I attain unimpeded access everywhere, obtain gold and silver, endless renown and merit, a lifespan of immeasurable kalpas, the ability to fly through the skies, and the power to manifest various yogic freedoms." Vaiśravaṇa said, "As you wish." Then, to further clarify the meaning, Vaiśravaṇa spoke this verse:
"Suppose the sun and moon were to fall from the sky to the earth, Or the great earth were to overturn—could such things happen? Do not harbor even a little doubt; this Dharma is easily accomplished. It does not rely on fasting or precepts; it benefits the poor and needy. All people will show respect, even until the end of one's life. With Vaishravana's blessings, all misfortunes and difficulties will be kept at bay. Yaksha generals will guard and always follow those who uphold it. If one can uphold this teaching, all wishes will be fulfilled, As swiftly as an arrow shot from a bow. Kings will revere such a person, Gaining inexhaustible treasures; a thousand kotis of yakshas Will guard the one who recites it, fulfilling all supreme wishes, And liberating them from all evil destinies. If one sees Vaishravana, Kubera bestows wealth, granting great wisdom, Even the divine eye, and a lifespan of a koti of years. If one with a sincere heart cherishes and reveres this teaching, They should seek its accomplishment—this is certain, without doubt. This protective Dharma, spoken by the Many-Heared Deva, Through this blessing, the mantra's supreme siddhi is attained. Now recite the protective mantra:"
Homage to the Tathagata. Homage to Vaiśravaṇa. Homage to the Great King. Thus it is: Oṃ, Jhaṁ jhaṁ, Chaṭa chaṭa, Khaṭa khaṭa, Great King, Saḥkṣa saḥkṣa, Hūṃ, Svāhā.
I will now describe the fundamental hand gesture. Place your right hand over your left, interlocking the fingers inward. Bring the two middle fingers together and upright, then bend the two index fingers like hooks. When inviting the presence, draw the gesture toward yourself; when sending it forth, push it outward. During recitation, form the gesture at your heart, chant seven times, then release it above your head. Afterward, take your prayer beads and focus on reciting.
Next is the hand gesture for the Auspicious Goddess. Bring both palms together gently, leaving a hollow space. Separate the index, middle, and ring fingers, bending them into the shape of a lotus flower. Keep the thumbs and little fingers upright and joined. When reciting, form this gesture at your heart, chant the mantra seven times, then release it above your head.
The Mantra of Vaisravana Deva King says:
Homage to the Great King of Heaven, the Great Lord of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of Heaven, the Great King of
If you chant this mantra seven times over pure oil and anoint your sleeping area with it, you will receive wealth and possessions as you wish.
Sutra of Vaisravana, the Heavenly King
The Buddha told Subhuti: "All bodhisattvas should cultivate their minds like this: 'I vow to liberate all sentient beings. And when all sentient beings have been liberated, in truth, not a single being has been liberated.' Why is this? Subhuti, if a bodhisattva holds the notion of a self, a person, a sentient being, or a lifespan, then that person is not a true bodhisattva.
The Buddha said: "Observe the heavens and earth, and reflect on their impermanence. Observe the mountains and rivers, and reflect on their impermanence. Observe the forms and appearances of all things, and reflect on their impermanence. If you can stabilize your mind in this way, you will quickly attain the Way."