Virupaksa sitting Digpala 20 cm partly fire-gilded (gold plated)

Virupaksa is one of the four dikpalas. Virupaksa (Tib. Mig Midang) is the guardian of the West and king of nagas (serpents). His body is red in color. He shows a wrathful appearance. His right hand holds a stupa in his left hand he holds a naga. He lives in the city of sudarsana on the west of Sumeru mountain, his city is as beautiful as that of three other kings. He leads immesurable serpent deities i.e. nagas to protect Buddha dharma in the west.

Virupaksa leads besides the retinue of Nagas, innumerable spirits of sun and moon and other. They are all responsible for the protection of Buddha Dharma.

These are the guardians of the four directions and four corners:

Dhrtarastra (Indra) the king of gods, presides over the east; Virudhaka over the south; Virupaksa over the west and Vaisravana (Kubera) the god of wealth, presides over the north.

They have the mission to protect Buddha from worldly threats and the world from demons.