Question asked by Jason
Is black dzambala more powerful than yellow dzambala? According to the himilayan arts web site "..the Lord Jambhala, with a body black in colour, having the appearance of a dwarf, pot-bellied, without pierced ears, brown hair flowing upwards and bared fangs, adorned with the eight great nagas. The right hand holds a blood filled skullcup and the left a mongoose expelling various jewels. The right leg is extended pressing upon the yellow Lord of Wealth, adorned with various gold ornaments, lying supine expelling various jewels from the mouth." (Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub, 1497-1557)." Does this mean that black dzambala is effective.
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your question. Both Yellow Dzambala and Black Dzambala are both very effective. They are both enlightened beings and so both have equal power to help us. The difference actually comes from our side and whether we practice them sincerely with effort combined with transformation of the mind through the teachings.
There are actually multiple forms of Dzambala, the Yellow and Black Dzambalas are the two that are most common, the other three common forms being Green, Blue and Red Dzambalas. There are other forms of Dzambala as well.
All of the Dzambalas are known as “wealth deities” meaning when you practice them it is said that they bestow wealth. However, their practice is much more than just this. They are deities of increase, which means that when we engage in their practices, everything in our lives is increased. This means increase of wealth and material nessecities. However, on a more fundamental level they increase our positive qualities, especially those that are important for spiritual progress such as generosity. Another example of such a deity is Gyenze (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/dorje-shugden-gyenze-to-increase-life-merits-and-wealth.html).
Though all Dzambalas are classed as wealth deities, they way in which they benefit us differs according to their form. For example, Yellow Dzambala emphasises the acitivity of increase. This is increasing of what we have and attracting other good things into our lives, for example material and spiritual wealth, good qualities, etc.
Black Dzambala, on the other hand, emphasises the activity of wrath in destroying the causes that lead us to poverty, negative states and conditions. These causes are actually miserliness and not being a generous and kind person. He is usually depicted solitary with his secret organ revealed in order to pacify our great desire too. In his iconography, he steps on the yellow-coloured Lord of Wealth. This is not to be confused with Yellow Dzambala. This “Lord of Wealth” is actually a worldly god.
I hope this helps answer your question. Both the practices of Yellow Dzambala and Black Dzambala are very effective. But the key to receiving the full benefits of their practices lie with our own effort, consistency in engaging in the practice and most of all transformation of the mind to become a better person on our spiritual journey. Thank you.