西藏《中陰聞教救度大法》描述人們在死亡過程中，於投胎之前會有七七四十九天神奇迷離的生命旅程。
在二七階段（死亡後的第二個星期），出現了巨大變化，忿怒諸尊顯現。祂們是由「腦」浮現，光芒則由「髮絲」散射而出。這代表著忿怒諸尊的憤怒髮絲亦可以發散出智慧光芒。
這個過程在藏傳佛教中的詮釋是「轉毒爲智」，該意思是將「心中的毒魔」轉變成「智慧空性」。
此圖中央為「大赫怒迦佛父與佛母」。下方為佛部赫怒迦，再依順時針方向為「金剛赫怒迦佛」、「寶部赫怒迦佛」、「蓮花部赫怒迦佛」、「羯摩部赫怒迦佛」。
忿怒諸尊在《中陰聞教救度大法》稱爲赫怒迦。除了在裏是指佛陀的忿怒化身，其梵語Heruka原意泛指所有忿怒相的觀想諸尊。而在藏語就其外貌特征被轉譯成「飲血者」或「飲血英雄」。血象徵生命。飲血英雄赫怒迦，代表勇敢的英雄爲生命戰鬥。
祂們的對手是亡靈者於死亡過程中，由生前貪、瞋、癡等毒害帶來的生命缺陷，包含貪心不滿足、仇恨不甘心、與執著不放下。
此唐卡中央處「大赫怒迦佛父與佛母」都握著人頭顱缽嘎巴拉（kapala），缽中盛滿鮮血，祂們即是飲血英雄的代表。

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying narrates the 49-day journey of people after death before reincarnation. In the first week after death, The Peaceful Deities appear. They are Five Great Buddhas representing five consciousnesses and the pure land. The picture of Vajrasattva-Akshobhya on this thangka is situated in the center, surrounded by five cosmic Buddhas and their consorts around the circle, accompanied by Acolyte Bodhisattvas. Such a grand arrangement represents the efforts offered by Buddhas and bodhisattvas to help the dead achieve liberation, filled with pity and compassion.

審判元素

天杖
Khatvanga

天杖各部分對應肌肉、體液、體溫、呼吸及氣色的五種生命跡象，象徵著肉體的消逝，並體悟死亡。
Each part of the Khatvanga corresponds to muscles, body fluids, body temperature, breath, and complexion, which symbolizes the perishing of flesh and the realization of death.

手鼓
Damaru

手鼓的聲響，警醒前往輪迴的亡者，莫要進入輪迴之道。
The sound of the Damaru is a warning to the dead heading towards reincarnation, reminding them not to enter the path of reincarnation.

嘎巴拉
Kapala

以人的頭骨做成的法器嘎巴拉，讓亡者看見生命的無常，並用覺悟的力量超越死亡。
The Kapala, which is made of human skulls, helps the dead to see that nothing is permanent in life, and the power of awareness transcends death.

人腸
Antra

人腸將美味的食物消化成糞便，一切美好都是無常。
Antra digests and turns delicacies into feces. All good things are transitory.

金剛鈴
Ghanta

金剛鈴清脆響聲，讓眾生驚醒覺悟，以佛智摧毀一切疑煩，並得到喜悅。
The tinkle of Ghanta can wake people, clear all doubt and worries through the wisdom of Buddha, and bring joy.

金剛杵
Vajra

金剛杵象徵慈悲，以及堅不可摧的佛法。
Vajra symbolizes compassion and the infallible Dharma.