Esoteric Teachings of the Tibetan Tantra
Part I: Seven Initiation Rituals of the Tibetan Tantra: CHAPTER FOUR

(The meaning of which is explained as "All the universe becomes a great emptiness.")

From the Emptiness, you, the one who seeks the initiation, and the Front-Arising-Buddha[r_4:29] from whom the initiation is given, together with the other Gtor-mas, all immediately become the holy word S'ri. This S'ri word is seated on a resplendent Sun Disc supported by a lotus with eight leaves. From the S'ri word spring beams whose rays touch the Heavens and render homage to all the Buddhas, and again the rays shine forth upon all the worlds to relieve the sufferings of sentient creatures and to benefit all beings. Finally all the beams contract into the S'ri word.

This S'ri word now transforms itself into an emerald, in color like the green Hayagriva's body; above, his face, red and wrathful, with three widely opened eyes, stares fiercely as if looking on all obstacles and demons. All the hairs of his head stand up in the midst of a cluster of flames burning vehemently as though blazing in a strong wind. All-radiant, the vigorous horse-face glows green. With the terrible voice of the horse, he yells with such fury that all the universe is shaken.

On his head Hayagriva wears a crown made of five human skulls, the top of each skull adorned with five glowing jewels. His mouth opens wide, exposing his tongue and his four canine teeth that symbolize the subjugation of the four demons[r_4:30]. His eyebrows and beard burn with fire.

[paragraph continues] A new moon stands at his side. In his right hand, he grasps a curved knife with a cross-shaped vajra as its handle. In his left hand, he holds a human skull filled with blood. Large of body, sturdy of limb, he stands posturing on a corpse of the demon enemy which lies above the Sun-Lotus-Disc. Blood-drops, the great ash-bundle, six ornaments of bone, and the snake-tassel adorn his sun-like figure, clothed with elephant skins and wearing the tiger-skin apron. He possesses all the adornments of the wrathful one.

He is posturing in a flame as great in fury as the fire of this Kalpa's ending. On his forehead lies a white Om, on his throat a red Ah, on his heart a blue Hum. In his heart center stands a green S'ri. From all these words rays of light in many colors reach out unto the Pure Land. By this light the Buddhas in the Pure Land are invited to descend. From the Palace-beyond-Measure of the Great Bliss Master Wrathful One, the green Hayagrivas descend in numbers countless as snowflakes falling--some large as Mount Sumeru[r_4:31], others tiny as seeds of mustard. All of them enter into your body and dissolve in you. You should attentively visualize like this.

(The trumpet is blown and musical instruments played.)

(The Guru reads as follows:)

Hum All the Buddhas and the green Hayagrivas,

Pray come here and grant us your blessing!