Pañcarakṣāsūtra

This is a Buddhist tantra text containing mantras dedicated to five Buddhist deities. The original text dedicates mantras in five sections, one for each deity; however, the present manuscript does not include the first section, which is dedicated to the deity Pratisarā. The manuscript begins with Mahāsāhasra-pramardanī (f. 1b–37a), Mahāmāyūryāvidyārājñī-avinastyāyakṣa-mukhānpratilabdhā (f. 37a–79b), Mahāśītavatī-mahāvidyārājñī (f. 79b–82b), and Mahārakṣā-mahāmantrānusāraṇī-mahāvidyā (f. 82b–115a). The manuscript is written on black paper in golden ink. It is believed that this text, or these sūtras, possess mystical power capable of protecting against dangers. This text is popular in Nepalese Buddhist culture.