Hayagriva (also Hayagreeva; Sanskrit: Hayagr?va) is a horse-headed deity that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhism and is known as Bato Kannon in Japan. In Hinduism, Hayagriva is also considered an Avatar of Vishnu. He is worshipped as the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, with a human body and a horse's head, brilliant white in color, with white garments and seated on a white lotus. Symbolically, the story represents the triumph of pure knowledge, guided by the hand of God, over the demonic forces of passion and darkness. In Japan, Bat? Kannon 皑繷? is the Horse-Headed Kannon (Guanyin). Protector of Animals. Bat? Kannon appears in the Mah?vairocana S?tra (Jp. = Dainichiky? ら竒; composed sometime in the 6th / 7th century AD) and other tantric texts. He is thus a member of the esoteric pantheon. Bat? is also one of the Six Kannon. In this latter role, Bat? protects those reborn in the animal realm (chikush?d? 痓ネ笵), a realm characterized by stupidity and servitude. In Japan, farmers pray to Bat? Kannon for the safety and preservation of their horses and cattle. Bat? Kannon is not only said to protect dumb animals, particularly those who labor for mankind, but extends those powers to protecting their spirits and bringing them ease and a happier life than they experienced while on earth.