Description
This composite manuscript contains two texts: the Sarvatathāgatoṣṇīṣasitātapatrāvidyārājñī (fols. 1b1–18a4) and the Dhvajāgrakeyūrīdhāraṇī (fols. 18a4–22b). The former presents a vidyā (spell) focused on the female deity Sitātapatrā (White Umbrella Goddess), who emerges from the uṣṇīṣa of the Buddha Śākyamuni as he abides in samādhi among the gods of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three. It enumerates various threats—illness, misfortune, and malevolent forces—and offers recitation formulas for their averting. Sitātapatrā, as both deity and spell, has served as a longstanding source of protection and remains widely invoked in contemporary Buddhist practice (84000). Unlike manuscript 440, this version begins with an homage to Mahāpratyaṅgirā. The Dhvajāgrakeyūrīdhāraṇī is a protective charm that manifests as a female deity when recited. She dispels fear, grants blessings such as good reputation and abundance, and offers divine protection. According to the text, the Buddha gives this dhāraṇī to Indra to help him triumph in battle after being overpowered by other gods (Mitra, 283). A red smudge appears on fol. 18a.
Manuscript Images
Public image preview
Additional Metadata