Nyurzema Recitation

Praise of the Six Arm Dharmap Protector Mahakala

A special prayer, paying homage to six armed Mahakala (Gonpo), the great black one. Though fierce in his trampling upon the evil spirits of delusion and greed, he is actually considered to be the agent of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the angelic Bodhisattva of great compassion.

Mahakala is frightening in appearance because his responsibility is to protect all beings from evil. This verse was composed by a great Indian yogi Drubchen Shawari who had a vision of Mahakala while meditating and was inspired to compose these verses of praise during a vision of Mahakala that appeared to him gradually from the feet upwards. This prayer request Mahakala to protect the Dharma and to remove all obstacles of all sentient beings.