In one popular tale, Vajrasattva was once a king who made a serious mistake. Realizing his wrongs, he asked the Buddha for help. The Buddha taught him how to purify himself with meditation and mantras. Through his practice, the king became Vajrasattva, an enlightened being. His story shows that anyone, no matter their past, can change and reach purity. As Vajrasattva, he helped others purify their minds and hearts.
Vajrasattva holds a vajra in his right hand. It stands for strong wisdom and the power to remove ignorance. In his left hand, he holds a bell, symbolizing wisdom and the feminine aspect of compassion. Both of these objects represent the union of wisdom and compassion in the path to enlightenment.