Darikapa was one of the eighty-four Mahasiddhas of India. He is also among the predecessors of one of the four lineages that Tilopa transmitted to Naropa. Before becoming a famous practitioner, Darikapa was known as the King Indrapala. The King renounced his throne in order to practice the dharma under the master Luipa.

In this lifetime, the Tai Situpa perfectly demonstrated that practitioners should renounce materialism and attachment to the ego. Also, Rinpoche showed how skillful means are used by great practitioners to bring others (even those involved in harmful practices) onto the path of the dharma.

King Indrapala ruled a country known as Saliputra. One day, when he went out hunting, the King noticed a large crowd gathering around the market. All the people were giving reverence to the the great yogi Luipa.

Luipa was a beggar, with no desire for good food; he accepted even the worst of offerings. So, King Indrapala said to yogi Luipa, "A man such as you should not be eating fish guts which are unclean. I will give you whatever you need to eat, and whatever else you want. If you want my kingdom I will give it to you."

Luipa answered, "Only a method which liberates me from old age and death will I accept as an offering. But if you do not have this method, then even your kingdom and your daughter would be of no use to me. A kingdom will bring little benefit and is a great hindrance. I have renounced samsara.”

King Indrapala realized his grave mistake of leading a materialistic life. He said to his minister, "I wear a crown, but for what? Let us go, to practice the Dharma. There is sufficient food and clothing for my wife. I will give the kingdom to my son."

Luipa accepted King Indrapala as his disciple, and initiated him in the practice of Chakrasamvara.

Luipa brought Indrapala to a city where three hundred girls worked as dancers and prostitutes in a temple. Indrapala was sold to be a servant to a prostitute and for twelve years he faithfully worked. As apart of the agreement, Luipa commanded that Indrapala should never be chained or consort with anyone.

One day, a King named Kunji visited the temple of the three hundred prostitutes, and spent his money on worldly pleasures. Afterward, he further indulged himself by overeating and getting indigestion.

Pacing back and forth with pain, King Kunji caught sight of Indrapala being venerated on a throne in the garden by celestial gods and maidens. Stunned, the King brought the prostitute to see the spectacle. They both realized that Indrapala was truly a living master who compassionately appeared as a the prostitute’s servant in order to bring beings onto the path of the dharma.

Indrapala gained great realizations due to following the instructions and command of his teacher, Luipa. Now, he demonstrated it for all to see.

King Kunji and the prostitute both regretted their mistakes and requested to be Indrapala’s disciples.

Indrapala was, from then on, known as Darikapa. He rose into the air and proclaimed:

A worldly king has a parasol and sits on an elephant throne.
But my kingdom is more distinguished and my position more exalted.
I have the parasol of liberation and ride the Great Vehicle (Mahayana).
Darikapa enjoys himself on the throne of the three worlds!

With an entourage of over seven-hundred, Darikapa attained the state of deathlessness and went to the pure realms.