Marishiten

A transliteration of the Sanskrit word Marici. In ancient times, he was known as the Lord of the group of wind gods Marut, and was also one of the creators Prajapati. The word means heat haze or sunlight, and is also a deification of the same, translated as heat haze or majesty in Chinese translations of the sutras. It is said that in the past, when Taishakuten fought against Asura (Asura), he protected the sun and the moon. He himself has a shadow form, meaning he cannot be seen, but if one thinks of this god, others will not see or know him, will not harm him, deceive him, bind him, or punish him. In Japan, he was considered the patron deity of samurai, and was said to bring self-protection, shadow body, long journeys, wealth, and victory. The statue is usually depicted as having three faces, three eyes, eight arms, holding a vajra or a bow and arrows, and riding a boar, but it can also be a statue of a celestial maiden.

[Yasuaki Nara]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

サンスクリット語マリーチMarīciの音写語。古くは一群の風神マルトの主といい、また創造主プラジャーパティの1人。かげろう、日の光を意味することばで、その神格化でもあり、漢訳経典で陽炎、威光と訳す。昔、帝釈天(たいしゃくてん)がアスラ（阿修羅(あしゅら)）と戦ったとき、日と月を守ったという。自らは陰形、つまり姿を見せないが、この神を念ずると、他人はその人を見ず、知らず、害することなく、欺くことなく、縛することなく、罰することがない、という。日本では武士の守護神とされ、護身、陰身、遠行、保財、勝利をもたらすとされた。形像は通常、三面、各三眼、八臂(はっぴ)で金剛杵(こんごうしょ)、弓箭(きゅうせん)などを持ち、猪(いのしし)に乗る姿で示されるが、天女像の場合もある。

［奈良康明］

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