Eight Fully Ordained Monks
First are the eight fully ordained monks, emanated from the ‘sources’ of the principle deity. These eight monks are dressed in saffron-coloured robes and wear various monastic hats like the domed hat, pandit’s hat, yellow hat, split meditation hat and so forth.
They each also carry various items of monastic practice such as a monk’s staff, a begging bowl, a Dharma text and the ritual implements of vajra and bell. All of these are attributes of the eight monks that empower practitioners to hold their commitments, vows and words of honour, particularly the Vinaya.
"The purified nature of the sources, nerves, veins, ligaments, and joints are the eight monks who guide in virtuous activity who, with an emanated drama of whatever tames each being, protect those bound by samaya like a son, to you I praise."Nine Mothers
The nine mothers are the next in the sequence of attendants. These nine beautiful maidens are emanated from the ‘elements’ of the principle deity. All of them are dressed in celestial silks garments, wear eight jewellery pieces and carry the five desirable objects.
The nine mothers hold great power to control the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
"The purified nature of the four elements and five sense objects such as form are the nine beautiful great consorts of each family who, exquisite in their youth, with the arts of love, liberate from the bindings of existence, to you I praise."
