Yamantaka is the ferocious emanation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom. He conquered the lord of death Yama by literally scaring Yama to death. The meditator hopes to develop a sense of identity strong enough to face down fear of death. Yamantaka has nine heads, the main one a bull; between the horns is a terrible red head and above is the head of Manjushri. Each of his 34 arms holds a symbolic implement, with his two main arms holding a skull and a chopper.