Eight Kerima Dakinis
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Eight Kerima Dakinis
Tib., rNam-shes brgyad-kyi ye-shes mkha'-'gro bzhi
Dakinis of the eight kinds of awareness
According to the Bardo Thödol, these deities appear on the 12th day of the bardo, surrounding the Krodeshvari-Heruka couples.
They are subdivided into two groups:
Four Inner Dakinis (Nang-gi mkha'-'gro bzhi) of the cardinal directions (pure colors)
Four Outer Dakinis (Phyi-yi mkha'-'gro bzhi) of the intermediate directions (mixed colors)
Together, they represent the fierce, terrifying female counterparts of the eight male Bodhisattvas.
East: white skinned Kerima (or Gauri) carrying a kapala (skull cup)
and a club in the form of a human corpse
SE: orange skinned Pukkasi carrying entrails (Tib., ??)
South: yellow skinned Caurima (Chauri) carrying a drawn bow and arrow
SW: green-black skinned Ghasmari carrying a dorje and drinking blood from an asrikkapala
West: red skinned Pramoha carrying the banner of victory
NW: yellow-white skinned Candali carrying a corpse and a heart
North: green skinned Vetali (Vaitali, Petali) carrying a kapala and a dorje
NE: blue-black skinned Smashali (Smasani) twisting the head off a corpse
Note
In some texts, the Kerima (or Keurima) are named Gauri, and under the leadership of a Gauri as well, yet further with mostly the same names and symbolism