Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 May 2014
The paper discusses a group of dhāraṇīs associated with the seven days (saptavāra) of the week, with each dhāraṇī being recited on a specific day. The visual forms of the dhāraṇīs were represented in miniature paintings in manuscripts of the saptavāra texts and in woodcarvings on the struts of two Newar Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu. The paper shows that even though two members of the saptavāra group were originally male, eventually all members came to be conceived of as feminine in Nepal. It further provides evidence that the group is likely to have become known in Nepal by at least the late sixteenth century.
Several sections of this paper draw on an earlier article (Bühnemann 2006) but the material has been thoroughly revised and updated. I would like to thank Gerd Mevissen for suggestions and Manik Bajracharya for providing a photograph. I would also like to thank Gerald Kozicz for helpful information.