Gyalpo

Gyalpo (Wyl. rgyal po) literally means 'king'.

Gyalpo is also the name for a certain type of 'arrogant king-like spirit', who are often associated with a particular area or even a particular family; they may function as protectors, or they may be harmful. Their leader is the great protector Pehar. They can be clairvoyant, and are sometimes consulted by oracles, including the most important of Tibetan oracles, the Nechung Oracle, who is possessed by Pehar himself when consulting him. Patrul Rinpoche categorizes these spirits in the preta class of sentient beings.