Notes

n.1Whenever it is possible to do so, this translation makes a distinction between the term graha as it applies to the nine celestial phenomena and planets and the term graha when it is more broadly construed to signify a variety of beings who cause physical and mental illness. The translation “celestial graha” is used for the Tibetan gza’ when it is clear that the text is referring to this group, and the term “graha” is used for the Tibetan gdon to indicate the broader class of beings.

n.2For e-texts of this version, see Zhuxingmu tuoluoni jing 諸星母陀羅尼經 (Graha­mātṛkānāma­dhāraṇī), Taishō 1302 (CBETA; SAT). Note that this version is absent in the Korean Buddhist canon.

n.3See Lewis R. Lancaster, The Korean Buddhist Canon: A Descriptive Catalogue , Accessed April 14, 2023. For e-texts of this version, see Fo shuo sheng yao mu tuoluoni jing 佛說聖曜母陀羅尼經 (Graha­mātṛkānāma­dhāraṇī), Taishō 1303 (CBETA; SAT).

n.4Note that there is a discrepancy among various databases for cataloging the Toh 998 version of this text within vol. 101 or 102 of the Degé Kangyur. See Toh 998, n.­4, for details.

n.5Following N, H, and S: shin tu ’jigs par byed pa rnams kyi. Toh 661 and Toh 998 read shin tu ’jigs par byed pa rnams kyis. This translation is also informed by the corresponding line in Toh 660 and Toh 997, where the locative particle la is given in place of the instrumental particle kyis.

n.6The term “identifying” has been added to the English translation for the sake of clarity.

n.7This transliteration emends dz+yo tiSh+ke ta bai (Toh 661) to dz+yo tiSh+ke ta be to conform with the expected Sanskrit syntax.

n.8This translation emends the reading in Toh 661 and Toh 998 based on the reading in Toh 660 and 997: lo dgu bcu rtsa dgu’i bar du. Toh 661 and Toh 998 read lo dgu’i bar, which translates “for nine years.” The variant reading corresponding to Toh 661 and Toh 998 in K reads lo dgu bcu pa’i bar, which translates “for ninety years.”