The Five Jambhala Wealth Gods

By John W Sheridan
The Tibetan legend that describes the origin of the Jambhala Wealth Gods is very interesting. It is said that a revered high Lama, Lama Atisha, was walking alone when he found a man starving and near death. After looking around and unable to find food for the old man Lama Atisha cut flesh from his own body and offered it to the starving man. The man refused to eat the Lama s flesh. !eing de"ressed and not knowing how else to hel" the man nearing death the Lama sat down ne#t to him. At that "oint there was a blinding bright white light and before Atisha a""eared the !uddha of $om"assion, the Thousand%Armed Avalokiteshwor $henre&ig. The !uddha told Lama Atisha that he was going to manifest himself as the God of Wealth, Jambhala, and assure that those in "overty would suffer no longer. 'ther legends have also been "ublished on the origin of the (ive Jambhala Wealth Gods but the one )ust given is the one most *uoted. The five Jambhala +also known by the name ,&ambhala- are all very "o"ular wealth Gods and each has their own uni*ueness. The White Jambhala is said to be the manifestation of Avalokitesvara !odhisattva +he who listens to the sounds around him and embodies com"assion-. .e sits on a snow lion and holds a mongoose in his left hand that s"its out "recious gems for the "oor and needy to collect. .e is said to be able to sto" suffering and to dis"el bad /arma. $hanting his 0antra can also bring wealth, avert disaster, and give you good health. The White Jambhala is most effective for those with a $hinese Astrological lucky element of metal and animal sign of a monkey or chicken. It is believed "ouring water on the head of his statue will allow for greater blessings. The 0antra that is chanted for this God is "Om Padma Trotha Arya Zambhala Siddhaya Hum Phat". The Yellow Jambhala is considered the most "o"ular and "owerful of the Wealth Gods. It is thought to be the manifestation of !uddha 1atnasambhava, the !uddha of Giving. It is said you must "ractice !uddhism using correct "rocedures to gain the most "owerful blessings from him. .e is usually shown sitting on a lotus, sun and moon disk. As with all of the Jambhala, he holds a mongoose in his left hand which "roduces )ewels to give to the needy. The 2ellow Jambhala is thought to be the most effective for those with a $hinese Astrological lucky element of earth and having the animal sign of a cow, dragon, shee", or dog. Just as with the White Jambhala, "ouring water on the head of his statue is considered good for increasing the blessing you receive. 2ou will receive not only wealth but wisdom and intelligence if worshi""ed "ro"erly. The 0antra you would recite is "Om Zambala Zalendhraye Soha". The Black Jambhala is also known as the .indu God of Wealth, /ubera. .e will fulfill your wishes, make you ha""y, and give you wealth and "ros"erity if worshi"ed "ro"erly. .e is usually seen standing on a cor"se and with a /a"ala +a cu" made from a human skull- in his right hand along with the mongoose in his left hand. .e is also usually "ictured surrounded by a ring of fire. .e is black in color, as his name would indicate. The !lack Jambhala is considered most effective for those that have a $hinese Astrological lucky element of water and animal sign of a "ig or rat. If you have a statue of him you "our water on his belly, not his head, for added blessings. .e has two different 0antras, "Om Zambhala !amlim !aye S"aha" and"Om #nd!ali $u %an !amali S"aha". The &ed Jambhala is said to be the manifestation of 3a)rasattva, the !uddha of 4urification. 5ome say that he is the .indu God of Wealth, Lord Ganesh, and has the head of an ele"hant. 'thers "icture him as having two faces and four arms. .e also carries the mongoose in one of his left hands. .is Tibetan name is said to be ,&ambhala 0a"o. 5o there seems to be *uite a difference in how this God is defined.

(or the greatest benefits achieved from worshi"ing him your $hinese Astrological lucky element should be fire and have an animal sign of a snake or horse. While chanting the 0antra you should also "our water on the statue. The 0antra for him is "Om !ambhala !alim !aya 'ama $umei ( She () Om !achini !ambhala !ambhala S"aha". The last of the five Wealth Gods, the Green Jambhala, is thought to be a form of the !uddha Akshobhya +who reigns over the eastern "aradise-. .e is usually shown in tight embrace with his consort and carrying a )ewel "roducing mongoose in his left hand. .e is actually blue in color. The Green Jambhala made a sacred vow witnessed by !uddha 5akyamuni that he would "rotect anyone who chanted his 0antra. Those who would benefit the most from him are those with the $hinese Astrological lucky element of wood and animal sign of a tiger or rabbit. Again the simultaneous "ouring of water while chanting his 0antra is recommended. .is 0antra is "Om Zambala Zalendhraye Soha." I ho"e by reading this you can see why the (ive Jambhala Wealth Gods are among my favorites. Their origins and uni*ueness are fascinating and they are considered to be e#ce"tionally "owerful Wealth Gods. I wish you all "ros"erity and abundance. 6ntil later, "lease en)oy 5heng $hi7