Vajrapāni is seen as a manifestation of Vajradhara and the "spiritual reflex", the Dhyani Bhodisatava of Akshobhya.
According to the Pañcaviṃsatisāhasrikā- and Aṣṭasāhasrikāprajñāpāramitās, any bodhisattva on the path to buddhahood is eligible for Vajrapāni's protection, making them invincible to any attacks "by either men or ghosts".