Eight Phramenma Dakinis
A group of fierce, animal-headed and flesh-eating dakinis. Together with other guardian-deities,
they appear during the 12th day of the bardo.
They represent the fierce aspects of the eight more gentle and peaceful
Bodhisattva Dakinis.
- East: Simhamukhi, Lion-headed with maroon skin, devouring a corpse, her hands crossed
- SE: Grdhramukhi, Vulture-headed with yellow-white skin, tearing entrails from a corpse
- South: Vyaghramukhi, Tiger-headed with red skin, her hands crossed
- SW: Kankamukhi, Bird-headed with dark red skin, dragging a large corpse
- West: Srgalamukhi, Hyena/Fox-headed with black skin, with phurbu, sucking on entrails
- NW: Kakamukhi, Raven- or Crow-headed with black skin, with kapala and kartrika
- North: Svamukhi, Wolf-headed with dark blue skin, devouring a corpse
- NE: Ulumukhi, Owl-headed with dark blue skin, with kapala and khadga (sword)
Notes
In some translations, the name Phramenma is transliterated as Htamenha, and sometimes
the group is given the name Pisaci (ghouls) and/or is classified as Ma-mo
Goddesses.
The skin colors and directions given here do not fit with the usual
Tibetan scheme applied to the number 8.
