Vajrapani, also known as Vajrasattva in Mahayana Buddhism, is one of the earliest of the bodhisattvas, and acts as the guide and protector of Gautama Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism he is one of the earliest Dharmapalas (wrathful gods), and he is also acknowledged as a deity in the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. He is directly worshipped in Tibetan Buddhism, and is extensively represented in Buddhist iconography.