Acala, Acalanatha, Fudo Myoo, Candamaharosana, this wrathful wisdom king has many different names and has been revered in many different places from Japan, to Nepal, to India, and even in Tibet. For the purposes of this article, I will call him Acala. Acala is a wisdom king in esoteric or tantric Buddhism and is depicted as a man either standing or sitting, with fangs, a braid that trails off onto his shoulder, holding a rope or chain in one hand and a sword in the other, often with a dragon swirling around it. Flames are seen at his back and he is often depicted as sitting or standing on a rock. His style of dress is that of a servant or slave, but he is still a wise and powerful king.
Many in Japan worship Acala (called Fudo Myoo there) for the purpose of protection from disease but also for success in business. Acala is a great binder of evil spirits and also of one’s human enemies, with some tantric rituals calling upon him being used to bind, paralyze, or even slay one’s enemies. He is most effective when being called upon to slay those who are evil, cruel, abusive, or greedy. He can also bewitch, enchant, and summon others. Acala is also called upon to cut down obstacles and to bring wealth to his devotees. There are also tantric rituals for the consecration of a sword or dagger to be used in Acala’s rituals.
One of the primary spiritual benefits of worshipping Acala is the binding of one’s own demons, i.e. sloth, anger, hatred, greed, or any other obstacle to personal growth. This is done through meditation combined with mantra and ritual. Acala is excellent in creating wards for one’s property and also as a general protector even if he is much more than that. The best offerings for him are mustard seeds, apples, wine or grain beer, meat and fish, pomegranates, peppers, ceremonial fires, candles and lamps. Fire should always be offered to him as one of Acala’s names is the Light King. The very best offering to him are good deeds done in his name. If there are any questions I can do my best to answer them as Acala has been a deity I’ve worked with for close to two years now.
