Mahakala is the wrathful emanation of the Buddha of Compassion appearing in the form of a Dharma Protector.
Mahakala, known as Daheitian in Chinese, has two, four, or six arms. The two-armed Mahakala is the karma protector of the Karma Kagyu School.
He has a wrathful expression to subdue inner demons. He is a symbol of fearlessness.
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Two armed Mahakala is also known as two-armed Bernakchen is an emanation of Samantabhadra. He is not the main protector of Karma Kagyu, but rather that of the Karmapas. specifically, although there is nothing that says the rest of us cannot also practice on him; the Sakyapa has the two-armed Panjaranatha Mahakala, who is an emanation of Manjushri and holds the rod that emanates many Mahakalas.
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4 Armed Mahakala is a dharmapala predicted by the Buddha. Four-Armed Mahakala is a particular protector of the madhyamaka teachings and of the Chakrasamvara tantra. He was also a special protector of Surmang. His symbolism is based on vajra anger and compassion. As described in The Myth of Freedom, his four arms represent the four karmas: One left arm holds a skull cup of amrita, the intoxicating nectar of the gods, which is a means of pacifying. One right arm holds a hooked knife, a symbol of enriching. The second right arm holds a sword, which is a way of magnetizing or gathering together energies. The sword need not strike; just by its being waved, the energies are rallied. The remaining left arm holds the trident which destroys or subdues. Its three prongs cut through the root kleshas of passion, aggression, and ignorance with one thrust.
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Six-armed Mahakala is an emanation of Avalokitesvara, the buddha of compassion, indicating the wrathful and protective qualities of compassion. This deity grants protection from external and internal interferences and assists in the development of one's Dharma practice. The Six-armed Protector is the special protector of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition and its practitioners to the present day.
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