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Mahasiddha Virupa parting the Ganges River

Photograph from web

What is a mahasiddha?

Mahasiddhas ( Maha = great; Siddha = attainment ) are yogis who have attained enlightenment, and have gone beyond the duality of subject and object. Mahasiddhas achieved both the mundane (relative) and supra mundane (ultimate) powers. Among the eighty-four mahasidhas, the pre-eminent ones are Virupa, Saraha, Naropa. Some mahasiddhas are known to exhibit behaviors that are unorthodox and difficult for people to understand. For these Mahasiddhas who have seen the true nature of reality, they are able to free themselves from the eight worldly concerns of fame and disgrace; gain and loss; pleasure and pain; praise and blame. Their powers are by-products of their practice, not their goal. The main goal of these Buddhist Mahasiddhas is to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

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Mahasiddha Virupa
Father of the transmission of direct knowledge to Sakya Lineage

Of the many Buddhist teachings that were transmitted by Indian scholars and siddhas, the " Fruit and Result Path" (Margapala) is being considered the most important of these teachings. Mahasiddha Virupa was a scholar and abbot at Nalanda University, where he taught philosophy and practiced Vajrayana for many years without success. At the age of 70, still not realized, Virupa was discouraged and threw away his rosary. On the night of his discouragement , the goddess of wisdom, Nairatmaya appeared in his dream to encourage and provide him with instructions to resume his practice . The vision of this Goddess of Wisdom represents the necessary connection to a particular deity or a guru in the practice. Virupa followed her instructions for twelve years and attained enlightenment. Monks at Nalanda rumored about Virupa’s behaviors such as drinking alcohol and eating meat . To end disharmony at Nalanda, Virupa left the university to become a wandering yogi. Mahasiddha Virupa is the father of the tantric transmission Hevajra to the Sakya lineage. His disciple was Drogmi Shakya Yeshe (992-1074), and Khon Könchok Gyelpo. This dark skin, mystic yogi performed three well known miracles: stopping the flow of the Ganges River, holding the sun in one place for three days, and drinking alcohol for three days without being affected.

Photograph from web

Significance of Mahasidha Virupa’s miracles:

Virupa stopping the flow of the Ganges River means he had stopped the flowing river of internal afflictions. Virupa has shown his ability to cut the interdependent link of origination to his cycle of birth and death.

In Mahayana teaching, it is against the precepts to drink alcohol, yet Virupa continuously drank for three days. The paradox of the teaching becomes evident if we merely look upon the surface of Virupa's action. Yet, for one who has stopped the river of afflictions and gone beyond the duality of time and space, Virupa has shown he is able to enjoy the bliss of liberation. He no longer creates karma.

Virupa held the sun in one place for three days. Here, Virupa demonstrated his ability to hold the pure light of the mind in the sky of omniscience. He realized the true nature of the mind and was able to remain in this state.

Significance of objects depicted in the painting

1) The wine represents the nectar of pure bliss.
2) Nairatmaya represents the Goddess of wisdom.
3) The ornaments worn by Virupa and the Goddess represent the six perfections of generosity, morality, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.
4) The crowns of five skulls on Virupa’s head represent the five wisdoms transformed.
5) The skull cup is a symbol of non-duality.

I, who live in spontaneous reality
Depend upon the Magnificent Symbol.
I, who exist in things as they are,
Without self, not thinking, not achieving,
Am saved from the pit of nihilism by existential self-awareness,
Am saved from an eternal heaven by absolute detachment.
I live in consummate pure delight and perfect awareness.

Virupa, Master of Dakinis