The Sakya school honors Hevajra as its root yidam; the "Hevajra Tantra" (Kye-rdor) is the scriptural basis of the Lamdré teaching. Hevajra has eight faces and sixteen arms, embracing the consort Nairātmyā, treading Brahmā and Nārāyaṇa—symbolizing the subjugation of self-grasping through wrathful form and the non-dual union of method and wisdom. The Sakya saying: "One who accomplishes Hevajra in this life perfects the Path and Result in this life."

The lama practices Hevajra not for spectacle but, by the deity's power, to purify the dedicatee's subtle obscurations and swiftly gather merit and wisdom. For the dead it helps the consciousness recognize the deity's wisdom-light; for the living it plants the pure cause of accomplishment in one lifetime.

• **Purifies subtle obscurations.** Hevajra's power clears fine karmic habits ordinary practices miss.
• **Swiftly gathers accumulations.** Deity yoga grows the two accumulations fastest.
• **Aligns with the school.** Taking the root yidam as focus directly matches Sakya's Lamdré house-style.

The Hevajra practice proceeds thus:

• **Set the focus.** Provide for whom and why; pay respect to the union-form Hevajra before the mandala.
• **Mantra and visualization.** The lama intones the Hevajra heart mantra, seeing the deity radiate light onto the dedicatee, purifying and increasing.
• **Lamdré union.** Practice deity yoga per the Lamdré ritual.
• **Dedicate and settle.** Dedicate all merit solely to the vow—that one accords with Hevajra's wisdom-light.

You need not be present—only revere that wrathful-yet-compassionate Hevajra in your heart; the lama's practice connects your wisdom-light.