Skt., suryacandrasiddhi: Sun-Moon Accomplished One
Tibetan Laygya Wangmo: Great Sovereign Dakini of Deeds
The great adept Padmasambhava is often said to have subdued
those demons and dakinis that were fierce and demoniac (that is, anti-Buddhist), yet at
other times it is clear that he himself was first initiated by such goddesses/female adepts
and received special, magical knowledge from these Great Mothers. Of special interest in
this regard is canto 34 of the Padma Kathang (Sheldrakma
version), where the hero prostrated himself to the enthroned dakini
(Suryacandrasiddhi) and begged her for teachings; outer, inner and secret.
Suryachandrasiddhi then changes her new disciple in true magical/shamanic fashion into the
sacred syllable hum, swallows him whole, and lets him pass through her body. In the
process, Padmasambhava is purified; he is initiated into certain teachings, and obtains a
number of magical powers before being reborn and ejected through her secret lotus
; that is,
her yoni.
How powerful and advanced an adept this Magical Mother of Padmasambhava represents is
emphasized in the text by the fact that even her servant Kumari (Skt., virgin)
was a woman of wonder:
With a crystal dagger she cut open her breast, within which appeared the many-colored
splendour of the gods of the calm Diamond Plane.
Both Suryachandrasiddhi and Kumari lived in the Castle of Skulls, a term signifying that they were ancient Tibetan deities turned Dharmapala; i.e. Guardians of the Faith.