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Jambhala, also known as Dzambhala, Dzambala, Zambala or Jambala, is the Buddhist deity of fortune and wealth and a member of the Jewel Family (see Ratnasambhava). He is sometimes equated with the Hindu deity Kubera. Jambhala is also believed to be an emanation of Avalokitesvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. There are five different wealth Jambhalas; each has his own practice and mantra to help eliminate poverty and create financial stability.[1]

Gyalten Sogdzin Rinpoche said that Jambhala is the protector of all Lineages and of all sentient beings from all sickness and difficulties. Jambhala is a Bodhisattva of material and spiritual wealth as well as many other things, especially of granting financial stability.

Because in this world, there are all kinds of wrathful and negative emotions or bad spirits, and sometimes they will harm you and other sentient beings, Dzambhala must take on such a wrathful and powerful form to protect us from these harmful spirits and negative karma. Especially, Dzambhala helps us minimize or decrease all misfortunes and obstacles and helps us increase all good fortune and happiness.[2]

Bronze statuette of Jambhala, Pala Empire, 11th century A.D.

Etymology

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Dzam means "deity or gathering." Bhah means "gold or wealth." La means "to honor". Dzambhala means “Precious golden deity who gathers or brings the wealth of spirituality or Dharma and material security or accomplishment to our lives."[2]

Five Jambhalas

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Bronze statue of Jambhala, 15th-16th century Tibet.

The five Jambhalas are the manifestations of the compassion of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to guide sentient beings along the path to enlightenment. They have the essence of generosity and represent the activities of increasing benefit. Their aspirations are to help the poor and those suffering from ill-fortune.[3]

Green Jambhala

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See also: Akshobhya

Green Jambhala is the chief of the five Jambhalas and is the manifestation of Buddha Amoghasiddhi, depicted standing upon a corpse and holding a mongoose in his left hand and a Kapala in his right hand.[1]

He is usually shown with his consort and carrying a jewel producing mongoose in his left hand.[4] Green Jambhala has bluish green colored body. He sits in the vajra position with Dakini in front of him. His right leg is panhandle with right foot is above a snail and lotus flower, while his left leg is kinked. On his left hand is an animal called Nehulay (mongoose) which spue out jewels from its mouth, his right hand holding Norbu. The Dakini holding lotus flower in her hand. The Mantra of Green Jambhala is:[5]

Om Karma Jambhala Ah Svaha

White Jambhala

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See also: Chenrezig and Avalokiteśvara

White Jambhala (or Dzambhala Gapee in Tibetan) is the compassionate manifestation of the Bodhisattva Chenrezig (Guan Yin). He can remove the suffering of poverty and sickness, purify non-virtuous karma and karmic obstacles, avert disaster and sickness, and evolve bodhicitta mind.[1][3]

The Tibetan legend said that a revered high lama, Atisha, was walking alone when he found a man starving and near death. After looking around and unable to find food for the old man, he cut flesh from his own body and offered it to the starving man. But the man refused to eat of his flesh. Being depressed and not knowing how else to help the man nearing death, Lama Atisha sat down next to him. At that point there was a blinding bright white light and before Atisha appeared Chenrezig of Compassion. He told Lama Atisha that he was going to manifest himself as the God of Wealth, Jambhala, and assure that those in poverty would suffer no longer.[6]

As the manifestation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, White Jambhala was born from his right eye. He sits on a snow lion, although some artists depict him sitting on a dragon, and a mongoose in his left hand spits out precious diamonds and ornaments.[1] White Jambhala has white colored body. He also holding a Wealth Banner in his left arm and a gold sword in his right. The Mantra of White Jambhala is:[5]

Om Padma Krodha Arya Jambhala Hridaya Hum Phat

When cultivating the "Dragon-riding White Jambhala Practice", the practitioners can also pray that he will lead them to hidden treasures. In the olden days, Tibetan Tantric masters placed their precious teachings in caves. These teachings were sealed in the four elements of "earth, water, fire and wind". One needs to employ very special methods to retrieve these Dharma treasures. One must also know the location of the caves where these ancestry masters had practiced in seclusion. The practitioners may pray to the "Dragon-riding White Jambhala" so that he will bring them to these caves where the treasures were hidden.[7]

Yellow Jambhala

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Partly gilded Tibetan bronze statue of Vaisravana Jambhala sitting on a snow lion and holding a mongoose in his left hand. 18th century
Yellow Jambhala
Yellow Jambhala at a prayer event in Singapore.
See also: Vaisravana and Ratnasambhava

The Yellow Jambhala is considered the most popular and powerful of the Wealth Gods.[6] He is the emanation of Buddha Ratnasambhava. He can remove poverty within the six realms, increasing virtues, life span and wisdom.[3]

He is also said to be an emanation of Vaisravana, one of the "Four Great World-protecting Heavenly Kings". He is the guardian of light in Buddhism, a great charitable deity who grants fortune and protection. Lord Vaisravana lives in the northern region under the Four Heavens, at the northern crystal palace on the fourth level of Mount Sumeru. His servants are either yaksas or bhaisajya-yaksas. According to the commentary on Lotus Sutra, this heavenly king is extremely knowledgeable as his perpetual protection of the Buddhas has enabled him to receive many teachings.[7]

Yellow Jambhala has yellow colored body, he sits in the vajra position with his right leg is panhandle, his right foot is above a snail and lotus flower, and his left leg is kinked. He has one face and two arms. His left hand holding a mongoose named Nehulay which spews forth precious jewels from its mouth, while his right hand holding gems shaped fruit and leaf of lotus.[5] An ordinary image of Lord Vaisravana is one that holds a precious pagoda in the left, which pours out various treasures. In Tibetan Tantric images, the precious pagoda is replaced by the treasure-emitting mongoose.[7] Yellow Jambhala sits on a lotus, sun disk and moon disk.[1] His mantra is:[5]

Om Jambhala Jalendraye Svaha

Red Jambhala

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Ganapati, Maha Rakta
See also: Ganesha, Ganesha in world religions, and Vajrasattva

Red Jambhala is depicted practising together with his consort, the heavenly mother of wealth that is in charge of wealth in the human realm. In ancient times, this deity was practiced mainly by kings and royalty. His practice is most suitable to people in high power, or to pray for high power, for it can attract people, wealth and fame. One will enjoy wealth in abundance and shall be well respected and supported by people.[3] There is also the Red Jambhala magnetizing method that can bless the practitioner with marital bliss and a harmonious family.[7]

Red Jambhala is the manifisation of Vajrasattva. He has two faces and four arms and holds a treasury mongoose on his left hand. His Tibetan name is Dzambhala Mapo.[1] Red Jambhala has a red colored body, sits in the vajra position with Dakini in front of him. His right leg is panhandle with right foot is above a snail and lotus flower, his left leg is bent. He is holding an animal known as Nehulay (mongoose) in his left hand, his right hand holding Khorlo (Cakra), the Dakini holding Kapala containing Nectar in her left hand and Norbu Mebar in her right hand. The Mantra of Red Jambhala is:[5]

Om Jambhala Jalendraye Dhanam Medehi Hrih Dakini Jambhala Sambhara Svaha

Some people believe he is the Hindu God of Wealth Ganesha,[4] the Red Ganapati,[1] and has the head of an elephant.[6] After the rise of Tantric Buddhism, Ganesha became a Tantric wealth deity and is known as the "Lord of Provisions in Tibetan Tantrism". According to legend, Red Jambhala was in charge of the heavenly treasury that belonged to Lord Mahesvara’s son. Due to his extreme compassion, Red Jambhala had unfailingly answered the prayers of many worshippers. Enraged by Red Jambhala’s indiscriminate charity to both the good and evil, Dharma guardian Mahakala decapitated him. It was only after the wealth deity repents that Mahakala plants an elephant’s head on his neck and receives him as a retainer.[7]

Black Jambhala

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See also: Kubera and Amoghasiddhi

The Black Jambhala is also known as the Hindu God of Wealth, Kubera.[6] Originated in ancient India, he manifested from the waters of the river and gave the transmission of generating wealth to a king whose kingdom was undergoing extreme financial difficulties during that time. He also benefits the poor and those in solitary retreat that have a virtuous mind.[3]

Popularized by Shakyasribhadra, holding a skullcup and mongoose, naked and wrathful in a standing posture. He is the God of Wealth in Tibetan Buddhism. With august guise he treads on the back of yellow rich man. Jambhala, Black (Tibetan: dzam bha la, nag po), a wealth deity popularized in Tibet by Bari Lotsawa (b.1040) and the Kashmiri teacher Shakyashri Bhadra.

... the Lord Jambhala, with a body black in colour, having the appearance of a dwarf, naked, sexually aroused, pot-bellied, with pierced ears, three bulging bloodshot eyes, brown hair flowing upwards and bared fangs, in a standing position, the right leg bent, and the left straight. He has one head and two arms. The right hand holds the top of a skull in front of his chest as a blood container, and the left hand holds a mongoose expelling wish fulfilling jewels. On his head is a crown of five skulls in the shape of the Five-Buddha crown; around his neck is a string of 50 prayer beads made of human skulls, with five-colored snakes as bracelets on hands, feet and neck. He shows anger on his face, standing with his right leg bent, his left leg extended, the right leg is extended pressing upon the head of the yellow Lord of Wealth, adorned with various gold ornaments, lying face down beneath Black Jambhala's feet.

— Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrup, 1497-1557)

He is the manifestation of Amoghasiddhi Buddha by the request of Buddha Shakyamuni to turn the Wheel of Dharma to benefit sentient beings who are suffering from poverty. He will enable all endeavors to be perfectly accomplished and purify all bad luck and obstacles, prevent theft, bad debts and loss of wealth.[3] Jambhala has a black colored body. He is depicted in a standing position over a human body, symbolizes to subdue human’s ego and eliminate human’s greed. His right hand is holding a Gem Pot and his left hand is holding an animal named Nehulay (mongoose) that spews jewels from out of its mouth. Black Jambhala also wears a snake necklace on his body. The Mantra of Black Jambhala is:[5]

Om Jambhala Jalendraye Bashu Dharini Svaha

The practice

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In Tantrism, Jambhala practice is an expedient and worldly cultivation-method. Tantric cultivation is divided into “Generation Stage” and “Completion Stage”; Generation Stage is the foundation while Completion Stage consists of practices pertaining to the holy truth and the transcendental methods. Jambhala practice is a fundamental cultivation-method.[7]

The basis of five Jambhalas practices is Bodhicitta. Practitioners should generate the altruistic intention of compassion (Bodhicitta), and practice generosity. The practice can remove poverty within the six realms and increase one's merits, wisdom and lifespan. All their material and spiritual needs will be met.[3]

The puja of five Jambhalas summons immense positive wealth energies upon the participants. The Buddhists believe that wealth results from one's past actions, but this puja itself also plays a significant role in changing the course of one's financial situation. Gaden Shartse said:

With a sincere motivation to accumulate merit, purify our negative karma, as well as make prayers for all sentient beings to be freed from all poverty and all sufferings, without doubt - one will certainly receive the vast blessings and protection of the wealth deities.[3]

Some people[who?] claim that cultivating the Jambhala practice will increase one's greed. Although the spiritual practitioner has the desire to gain great fortune, his body, mind and speech are nonetheless gradually purified in the process of practicing the Tantric method.[7]

Reciting mantras

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Chanting the mantra of every Jambhala is believed to be more beneficial if the chanter has received oral transmissions from a teacher who holds the teaching Lineage.[5]

Pouring water over statues

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The legend said that while Gautama Buddha was teaching the Maha Prajna-Paramita Sutra, the jealous Devadatta threw rocks at the Buddha. But instead, the rocks hit White and Yellow Jambhalas on their heads and hit Black Jambhala on the stomach.[1] Buddha then came over to Jambhala and blessed him; from his hand came a white, nectar-like substance of wisdom and compassion and love, and touched Jambhala's head. Jambhala felt very blissful, happy, calm, and cleaned his impurities and obstructions, and his wounds. Jambhala immediately bowed down to Buddha and thanked him.[4]

Sakyamuni Buddha said to him, “As I have healed you and I poured this holy nectar onto you, in the future any one of my students or student’s students who invokes your power and pours water onto your head - bestow on them wealth, give them the two types of wealth, material wealth and spiritual wealth, more importantly spiritual wealth.” After that, Jambhala folded his hands and said, “I will do as you have said and I promise that I will do that.”[4]

That story has become the basis for the practitioners of Jambhala Puja to pour water over their statues or to place their statues under the falling water of six-step waterfalls.[1]

See also

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References

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Jambhala

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Jambhala is a prominent in and traditions, revered as the god of riches who bestows material and spiritual prosperity while serving as the guardian of the northern direction. Often depicted as a chubby figure symbolizing abundance, Jambhala holds a —known as —that disgorges jewels from its mouth, representing the elimination of greed and the flow of wealth. This iconography underscores his role in alleviating poverty and obstacles, drawing from ancient nature spirits absorbed into from Hindu traditions, where he parallels the as lord of treasures. Jambhala manifests in multiple forms, each associated with specific tantric lineages and attributes, including the most common Yellow Jambhala, who sits on a conch shell and emphasizes generosity as a path to fortune. Other variants include White Jambhala, an emanation of Avalokiteshvara linked to and four dakinis; Black Jambhala, a fierce protector promoting through tantric practices; Red Jambhala, connected to the Chakrasamvara cycle and often depicted with a consort; and Green Jambhala, tied to the Tantra with eight attendant goddesses. These forms, while rooted in diverse textual sources like the Guhyasamaja and tantras, have been conflated in modern Tibetan Buddhist art into a five-figure assembly centered on Yellow Jambhala, reflecting a 19th-century synthesis by scholars such as Lodro Taye. In practice, Jambhala's worship involves mantras, visualizations, and rituals aimed at both and ethical , reminding devotees that true prosperity arises from Bodhichitta—the altruistic intent to benefit all beings. His enduring presence in Himalayan and , from 9th-century Sri Lankan bronzes to 17th-century Tibetan clay figures, highlights his cultural significance in bridging material needs with spiritual enlightenment across Buddhist communities.

Overview

Role and Significance

Jambhala serves as a prominent wealth-granting in , functioning as a or who embodies both material wealth and spiritual abundance, aimed at alleviating and the it causes. In this capacity, Jambhala grants financial stability and prosperity not merely for personal gain, but to support ethical living and compassionate actions that reduce worldly hardships. Within and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Jambhala holds significant importance by promoting and the ethical accumulation of , which are seen as pathways to overcoming spiritual obstacles and advancing toward enlightenment. His practices encourage practitioners to view as a tool for dana (), fostering a mindset of non-attachment while addressing both material needs and inner barriers like greed or pride. For lay practitioners, Jambhala plays a vital role in daily life by offering a means to seek that aligns with Buddhist principles, emphasizing abundance free from attachment in contrast to pursuits driven by greed. This approach allows individuals to integrate spiritual growth with practical stability, manifesting in five forms tailored to diverse needs for holistic well-being.

Associations with Buddhist Figures

Jambhala is widely regarded in Tibetan Buddhist traditions as an emanation of Avalokitesvara, also known as Chenrezig, the of , through whom he extends the quality of compassionate wealth-granting to alleviate material suffering and foster spiritual generosity. This association traces back to the second diffusion of in (10th–12th centuries CE), particularly through the teachings of , who transformed the figure from a mundane wealth deity into a compassionate manifestation. The five forms of Jambhala are linked to the Five Families, each embodying specific enlightened qualities to overcome afflictive and promote prosperity aligned with wisdom. The Yellow Jambhala corresponds to the family, representing equality and jewel-like abundance that counters pride. The White Jambhala aligns with Avalokitesvara in the Lotus Family, emphasizing compassionate relief from attachment. The Black Jambhala connects to the family of the realm, offering wrathful protection against resentment and obstacles to . The Red Jambhala relates to , facilitating purification of greed through transformative energy. The Green Jambhala is associated with the Amoghasiddhi family in the Karma realm, embodying accomplishment and fearless action to dispel jealousy. In broader Buddhist cosmology, shares a close relation with Vaisravana, the directional guardian of the north, as both protect treasures and embody wealth, though Jambhala is associated with the southern direction in some traditions; Jambhala specifically focuses on dharmic prosperity while Vaisravana serves as a worldly protector king.

Origins and Etymology

Historical Origins

Jambhala's historical roots trace back to pre-Buddhist Indian traditions, where the figure draws from the Hindu deity , the king associated with wealth and treasures, who was later adapted into as the guardian Vaishravana during the early centuries CE. This adaptation occurred as incorporated local deities into its pantheon, transforming Kubera from a mundane wealth god into a protector around the 1st to 6th centuries CE, serving as one of the in . By the 7th to 9th centuries CE, during the first diffusion of to , Jambhala appeared as Guru Norla, an emanation of , emphasizing prosperity rituals in traditions. One of the earliest textual references to Jambhala appears in the 6th-century Mañjuśrīmūla-kalpa, a key tantric scripture, where Jambhala is depicted as a general summoned by the to attend assemblies and teachings in pure abodes. In this text, Jambhala is portrayed as a in form, residing in a neem tree as the "Lord of Waters" in the southern quarter of a , and invoked through homa rituals involving curds, rice, and sticks to procure wealth and services. Further mentions in the same scripture highlight Jambhala's role in protection, merit accumulation, and regional siddhis, such as in eastern regions or alongside figures like King , who employed Jambhala's to summon for chariots and attendance. These depictions establish Jambhala as a wealth-oriented integrated into tantric practices, distinct yet akin to Vaishravana in iconographic "king appearance." This narrative, linked to ritual practices like the 108 water offerings over Jambhala images, underscores the deity's origins in the Buddha's lifetime events, blending historical and mythic elements to emphasize spiritual generosity. Jambhala's evolution intensified in tantras following the 8th century, particularly with the second diffusion of to (10th-12th centuries CE), where the deity shifted from a worldly to an emanation of Avalokitesvara, embodying compassion in wealth bestowal. Early tantric sources like the Siddhaikavira Tantra and Hevajra Tantra further developed Jambhala's forms, associating the yellow variant with the Jewel Family for prosperity rites. By the post-imperial period, treasure texts such as those by Rdo rje gling pa (1346-1405) expanded rituals, leading to the emergence of five Jambhalas in Tibetan lineages: yellow overcoming , white attachment, black resentment, green jealousy, and red greed, prominently featured in (e.g., via Chakrasamvara cycles) and later traditions. This multiplicity reflects Jambhala's adaptation to address diverse obstacles to enlightenment through wealth as a supportive .

Etymology

The Sanskrit term "Jambhala" derives from the root "jambha," which denotes the jaws or the act of devouring and possessing, combined with the suffix "-la," a common formative element indicating agency or possession. This linguistic structure implies "possessor of wealth" or "one who fulfills desires," aligning with the deity's attributes in Buddhist iconography as a bestower of material and spiritual abundance. In Buddhist contexts, particularly within Tibetan traditions, the name undergoes phonetic adaptation to "Dzambhala" or "Jambala," reflecting the transliteration of into and pronunciation while preserving the original connotations of . This variation appears in tantric texts and practices, where the deity's emphasizes wealth accumulation and fulfillment. The also links to "jambu," the rose-apple tree (), a of abundance in ancient Indian cosmology, as seen in the name Jambudvipa for the southern continent representing the human realm of plenty. Additionally, Jambhala parallels the Hindu deity Kuvera in etymological and functional aspects, both embodying guardianship over treasures and riches across religious traditions.

The Five Jambhalas

Yellow Jambhala

Yellow Jambhala is closely associated with Buddha and the Ratna family in , representing the qualities of jewel-like wisdom, equality among beings, and the transformative power of generosity to overcome pride and greed. As an emanation of , he embodies the enlightened activity of enriching practitioners with both material and spiritual abundance, fostering and the recognition of inherent value in all phenomena. In traditional , Yellow Jambhala appears as a rotund, benevolent male with golden-yellow skin, symbolizing prosperity and vitality. He is typically seated in the relaxed posture on stacked lotus, sun, and disks, signifying purity, energy, and completeness; his plump belly further emphasizes boundless wealth and contentment. The right hand holds a fruit extended in the varada , the gesture of granting boons and bestowing gifts, while the left hand holds a that vomits precious jewels, representing the effortless bestowal of treasures upon devotees. The dedicated mantra for Yellow Jambhala is Om Jambhala Jalendraye Soha, where "Om" invokes the sacred sound, "Jambhala" names the , "Jalendraye" refers to his lordly abundance, and "Soha" seals the ; it is pronounced approximately as "Ohm Jahm-bah-lah Jah-len-drah-yeh Soh-hah" to align with for efficacious recitation. Regular chanting of this mantra, often 108 times, is believed to invoke his blessings directly. Devotion to Yellow Jambhala is said to remove financial across the six realms of , granting material wealth and resources while cultivating to accumulate spiritual merit and . These benefits extend to enhancing life span, wisdom, and overall auspicious conditions, enabling practitioners to practice without material hindrances. In rituals, such as the general water-pouring offering, this form is invoked to magnetize prosperity.

White Jambhala

White Jambhala represents the compassionate aspect of the wealth deity Jambhala, manifesting as an emanation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to embody boundless mercy within the Karma family of . This form emphasizes purification and alleviation of , distinguishing it from other Jambhalas by its focus on spiritual cleansing alongside material prosperity. As a peaceful deity, White Jambhala aids practitioners in overcoming karmic obstacles through devotion and practice, fostering both and outer abundance. In , White Jambhala is depicted with radiant white skin symbolizing purity, seated upon a or turquoise that conveys majestic authority and protective power. His right hand extends in the varada , the gesture of granting boons and bestowing blessings, while the left hand holds a white conch shell from which a spout pours , the of , representing the flow of purifying that cleanses negativities and nourishes life. This imagery underscores his role in dispelling impurities and bestowing vitality. The specific mantra for White Jambhala is Om Padma Krodha Arya Jambhala Hridaya Hum Phat, chanted to invoke his blessings during or . In visualization practices, practitioners imagine White Jambhala seated before them, radiating white light as the conch shell's streams forth, entering the body to dissolve obscurations and fill one with wholesome energy. This focused contemplation enhances the mantra's efficacy in attracting positive conditions. Devotion to White Jambhala yields profound benefits, including the destruction of negative karma accumulated through past actions, thereby halting cycles of from illness, misfortune, or adversity. Alongside wealth, he bestows robust health and longevity, enabling practitioners to engage in virtuous activities without hindrance. For home practice, his image is often placed on altars facing east to invite these purifying influences.

Black Jambhala

Black Jambhala is the wrathful manifestation of the wealth deity in Buddhism, embodying the fierce energy required to forcefully attain prosperity and remove hindrances. He is closely associated with Buddha and belongs to the family, symbolizing mirror-like wisdom that reflects and purifies obstacles without distortion. This form draws from the Hindu deity , adapting his role as guardian of treasures into a Buddhist protector against material and spiritual poverty. Through his practices, devotees invoke his power to overcome resentment and ego-driven barriers to abundance. In iconographic depictions, Black Jambhala appears with dark blue-black skin, a wrathful expression featuring bared fangs, and a pot-bellied, dwarf-like form signifying boundless . He stands in a dynamic posture, often pressing his right leg on a yellow figure representing the subdued Lord of , who expels jewels from his mouth. His right hand holds a blood-filled skullcup (), while the left grasps a that vomits wish-fulfilling jewels; he is adorned with eight great serpents coiled around his body, emphasizing his dominion over hidden treasures and nagas. Brown hair flows upward, and he lacks pierced ears, underscoring his fierce, unadorned nature. The primary mantras for Black Jambhala are "Om Jambhala Jalendraye Bashu Dharini Svaha" for general invocation and "Om Indzali Mukam Dzambhala Soha" for enhanced protection, chanted to harness his wrathful energy in meditation and ritual. These seed syllables activate his blessings, transforming negative forces into sources of prosperity. Practicing Black Jambhala yields benefits such as overcoming enemies and poverty by subduing internal resentments and external threats, fulfilling material wishes, and safeguarding against theft or loss of resources. His fierce aspect ensures forceful removal of obstacles, allowing wealth to flow unimpeded while fostering spiritual clarity.

Red Jambhala

Red Jambhala represents a tantric manifestation of the wealth deity Jambhala, particularly emphasized in the tradition of , where he embodies themes of subjugation and prosperity achieved through harmonious relationships and magnetic influence. As a form derived from the Chakrasamvara cycle of tantras, Red Jambhala is transmitted through the lineage, including the Thirteen Golden Dharmas, and serves as a ( deity) for practitioners seeking to overcome obstacles to abundance via relational dynamics. He is regarded as a manifestation of , the purifier of vows, and belongs to the Padma (lotus) family, aligning with qualities of , discernment, and transformative energy associated with . In , Red Jambhala is depicted with skin symbolizing passionate activity and , often featuring two faces—one wrathful to subjugate negativity and one peaceful to foster harmony—and four arms to signify multifaceted prosperity. His right arms typically hold a treasury (symbolizing inexhaustible ) and a jewel or arrow of power, while the left arms grasp a jewel-spouting (emitting treasures) and embrace his consort, with whom he is seated in union on a . The consort, known as the heavenly mother of , is also in color, embodying the feminine aspect of abundance; she holds a blazing jewel in her right hand and a nectar-filled skullcup in her left, reinforcing themes of relational and shared prosperity. This paired depiction distinguishes Red Jambhala from solitary forms, highlighting the tantric integration of method and wisdom for magnetizing positive conditions. The specific tantric for invokes both the and his consort, emphasizing subjugation and attraction: Om Jambhala Jalendraye Dhanam Medehi Hrih Jambhala Sambhara . This extended recitation, rooted in practice, calls upon the aspect of the consort to amplify the 's power in rituals focused on relational harmony. Practices centered on are intended to subdue negative forces such as , conflict, or karmic obstacles that hinder , while cultivating , , and supportive relationships to manifest . Devotees report enhanced interpersonal influence and the attraction of favorable alliances, leading to material and spiritual abundance through balanced, harmonious connections rather than isolated gain. These benefits are particularly invoked in tantric sadhanas, where visualization of the union form integrates subjugation with compassionate outreach.

Green Jambhala

Green Jambhala is the accomplishment-oriented manifestation of the wealth deity Jambhala, associated with the Karma family in and serving as an emanation of the Buddha Amoghasiddhi, who embodies enlightened activity and success in beneficial actions. This form emphasizes dynamic prosperity through karma, aiding practitioners in overcoming obstacles to achieve material and spiritual accomplishments. His consort is Vasudhara, the goddess of abundance, often depicted as a greenish-blue representing the wisdom aspect that complements Jambhala's compassionate activity. In , Green Jambhala is portrayed with a green body symbolizing growth, renewal, and the union of all activities in tantric traditions, seated in a playful or relaxed posture with his right leg extended. He is adorned with heavenly garments, jewels, and a crown, holding a bijapuraka (citron fruit) in his right hand extended in the gesture of supreme , and a treasure-spouting in his left hand resting on his . Vasudhara is typically shown seated on his left thigh, embracing him with her right hand in a , while her left holds a sheaf of grain or similar symbol of abundance; together, they represent the dynamic flow of wealth and the removal of environmental or action-based hindrances to success. This depiction arises primarily from the Tantra, where Green Jambhala's green hue aligns with Amoghasiddhi's attribute of all-accomplishing wisdom. The specific mantra for Green Jambhala, " Karma Jambhala Ah ," is recited in practices to invoke his blessings for action-oriented , often 108 times or more during rituals involving offerings of , , or gems to magnetize positive conditions. Benefits of devotion to this form include preventing financial losses, ensuring success in and endeavors requiring initiative, and dispelling or obstacles arising from negative karma, thereby fostering an environment conducive to ethical accomplishments and the welfare of all beings. In rituals, Vasudhara's role enhances the practice by invoking her as the stream of wealth to support Jambhala's active bestowal of resources.

Worship and Practices

Mantra Recitation

Preparation for Jambhala mantra recitation emphasizes ethical foundations and a conducive environment to ensure the practice aligns with principles of and non-harm. Practitioners are advised to generate , taking refuge in the Three Jewels and committing to the four immeasurable thoughts—loving-kindness, , joy, and —while extending these aspirations to all beings, including vows of and abstaining from harm. The altar should be set up in a clean, quiet space, with an image or statue of Jambhala placed centrally, accompanied by simple offerings such as , water, or rice to invoke auspicious conditions. Daily sessions are recommended at dawn or dusk, times associated with heightened spiritual receptivity in traditions, allowing for consistent integration into one's routine. Recitation techniques follow structured protocols to cultivate focus and efficacy, typically involving 108 repetitions using a mala of 108 beads to count each utterance precisely. The practitioner holds the mala in the right hand, moving beads with the thumb while visualizing the deity's form—such as the seed syllable transforming into Jambhala—emanating blessings that dissolve into one's heart at the session's conclusion, symbolizing the integration of wealth qualities into the practitioner's being. Breath synchronization enhances this process, often beginning with nine-cycle breathing to purify energies and enter , ensuring the recitation remains steady without rushing or faltering. Specific mantras for each Jambhala form, such as those for the yellow or white variants, are recited within this framework after receiving from a qualified . The benefits of consistent Jambhala recitation include the accumulation of merit, which purifies obstacles to and invokes blessings for both material and spiritual wealth, fostering an inner abundance that supports practice and the welfare of all sentient beings. This practice integrates with broader , transforming ordinary perceptions of scarcity into opportunities for and enlightenment. Common precautions safeguard the sanctity of the practice, advising avoidance during states of impurity, such as illness, intoxication, or after consuming non-vegetarian , to maintain mental clarity and purity. Recitation should always be combined with refuge vows and aspiration, and faults like irregular pronunciation, mental distraction, or discontinuity must be avoided to prevent diminishing the mantra's potency.

Rituals and Offerings

In Buddhist traditions, the activation of Jambhala statues involves daily rituals to invoke blessings of prosperity and abundance. For and Jambhala images, practitioners pour clean water over the head of the statue, symbolizing the cleansing of obstacles and the bestowal of wealth, often performing 108 repetitions to align with the auspicious number in Buddhist practice. For Black Jambhala, water is poured specifically over the stomach to ease any discomfort from the deity's wrathful form and to attract protective wealth energies. These acts are typically done in a gentle stream, with the water collected and used for personal blessings afterward. Offerings to Jambhala are arranged on an to honor the and cultivate . Common items include for purification, fresh flowers for , fruits and grains for sustenance, and symbolic jewels representing worldly treasures, all placed to evoke the senses and merit accumulation. A set of is standard, filled from left to right with , water for washing the feet, flowers, , (such as butter lamps), , and , symbolizing the complete offering of sensory delights and the seven limbs of practice in tantric rituals. These offerings are refreshed daily to maintain the altar's sanctity and invite ongoing . Statues of Jambhala are placed in homes or temples in the northern direction, aligning with his role as guardian of the north and considered auspicious for wealth attraction. They are positioned on an elevated surface such as a high shelf or to show reverence and enhance energetic flow. Annual renewal rituals occur on dates, involving thorough cleansing of the , replacement of wilted offerings, and communal invocations to amplify collective abundance. Variations in these practices include group pujas, where communities gather to perform extended offerings for shared , often integrating tsok feasts in tantric contexts to distribute blessed substances and reinforce interdependence. During water pouring, brief recitation may accompany the act to empower the .

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