PROBLEMS OF LANGUAGE IN BUDDHIST TANTRAof Hevajra-pii)Qiirthatika 15. 59b. 3-7, commentary attributed to Vajragarbha.
We have also consulted Kiil)ha's commentary Yogaratnamiilii for which Snell-
grove provides the Sanskrit.^39
Hevajra Tantra 2. 3. 53-67:
Vajragarbha said:
What is called "twilight language" (sandhyiibhii$am)?^40 May the Lord
speak with certainty about that great symbolism (mahiisamaya) of the
yoginis which is not understood by Srii.vakas, etc. [53]
By the four divisions-even the Tantra of
"embracing," and "coupling"-"twilight
explained.^41 [54]The Lord said:"laughing," "gazing,"
language" IS notI will explain. You, Vajragarbha, must listen with one-pointedness of
mind. This is "twilight language''-the great language, the symbolic
convention (samayasarrzketa; dam tschig brda)-in full: [55]
"wine" is understood as "intoxication," "flesh" as "strength," "meeting"
as "sandlewood"; "phlegm" is "going," "resort" is "corpse," "naked" is
"bone omament";^42 [56]
"wandering" is said to be "coming"; "drum" is understood as "wood";
"emission" is explained as "nonpotential"; "Kalifijara" is understood as
"potential"; [57]"small drum" is said to be "untouchable"; "lotus vessel" is "skull";
"satisfying" is known as "food"; "jasmine wood" is herbs"; [58]
"the potion of four ingredients" is said to be "dung"; "musk" is held to
be "urine"; "frankincense" is known as "blood"; "camphor" is under-
stood to be "semen"; [59]"rice product" is said to be "human flesh"; "resin" is "union of the
two"; "gum myrrh" is explained as "thunderbolt"; "perfume" is under-
stood as "lotus." [60]"Family" is explained as the "fivefold" divided into five divisions of
color. Thus, in "twilight language," the Buddhas are the "five familied
ones"-^43 [61]"Dombi" is explained as belonging to the Vajra family, and "Na(i" to
the Padma family, and also "Cai)Qii.li" to the Ratna family; "Dvija" is
understood to be of the Tathii.gata one, [62]