Varahi

What it is

Varahi stands as one of the seven Matrikas, a collective of mother goddesses in the Hindu faith. She is distinct among them for bearing the face of a wild boar while retaining a human body. Devotees view her as a powerful shakti, or feminine energy, linked to various major deities. She appears in Shaktism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism, showing her broad acceptance across different Hindu sects. Her presence is felt in both temple worship and private Tantric practice.

Where it comes from

Scriptures offer several accounts of her birth. The Markandeya Purana states she emerged from the body of the god Varaha during a battle against demons. Other texts say she arose from the back of the Divine Mother Chandika. In some versions, Shiva created her to help defeat the demon Andhakasura. She is also described as the mother of Varaha himself, creating a complex lineage where she is both parent and child of the boar avatar.

How it is done

Worship occurs primarily at night, following rules set by Tantric texts. Priests and serious practitioners perform rites after sunset and before dawn. Some groups use Vamamarga practices, which involve specific ritual items like wine and fish. The shrine at Kalaratri remains open only during darkness. Devotees chant mantras and offer prayers dedicated to her blessing or the destruction of enemies.

Tools and materials

Artists depict her holding a plough, a pestle, a discus, or a staff. She often carries a skull-cup used in rituals. Her mount is typically a water buffalo, though she may ride a corpse or a serpent in Tantric images. Statues show her with a black complexion, a pot-bellied form, and a conical crown. A third eye marks her forehead.

What it is for

Followers invoke her for longevity and protection against harm. The Devi Mahatmya suggests calling upon her to extend life. Tantric seekers pursue siddhis, or supernatural powers, through her favor. She is also associated with Kaivalya, the state of spiritual detachment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Some view her as a granter of boons and a regent of the northern direction.

Who does it

She is served by priests in temples and worshipped by household devotees. Shaktas, who focus on the Goddess, hold her in high esteem, sometimes seeing her as the commander of another goddess's army. Shaivas and Vaishnavas also revere her. Tantric initiates learn her secrets through strict oral transmission, performing rites that are considered secretive and powerful.

Peoples and places

In Nepal, she is known as Barahi. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, locals call her Dandini. Across India, she is integrated into the Sapta-Matrika group. Temples in Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala honor her specifically. Her name and forms shift slightly based on regional customs and the specific theological lens of the worshippers.

What people believe

She represents the fierce aspect of the Divine Mother. Texts link her to envy, yet she grants liberation. She governs specific chakras in the human body, residing near the navel. Her association with Yama, the god of death, highlights her role in mortality and judgment. She is also connected to speech and the sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet.

When it is done

Rituals take place during the dark hours of the night. Specific festivals include Ashadha Navaratri, a nine-day celebration in June or July. Full moon days are considered auspicious for her worship. The timing aligns with her nature as a ratri devata, or night goddess.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers note her unique iconography, particularly the boar face on a female form. Scholars observe that this combination can be seen as derogatory but is also used in protective curses. Studies of her texts reveal her complex roles as both creator and destroyer. Analysts point out her connections to other deities like Vishnu and Yama, showing her syncretic nature.

Compare and confuse

She is part of the larger Matrika group, which includes similar mother goddesses. Her boar features distinguish her from others who may have animal heads or none. Buddhist traditions adopted similar figures, such as Vajravārāhī, showing cross-religious influence. She is sometimes confused with Vak, the goddess of speech, due to textual interpretations.

Questions people ask about Varahi

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Iconography of VarahiThe Hindu, Article

• Varahi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data