In the Hindu Religion, “Varahi” is one of the “Matrikas,” a group of seven mother goddesses. Bearing the head of a sow, “Varahi” is the shakti (feminine energy) of “Lord Varaha,” the boar incarnation (avatar) of the god Vishnu. In Nepal, Varahi is known as Barahi. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, She is revered as “Dandini”.
Varahi is not only venerated in the sect of Shaktism, but also in Shaivism (devotees of Shiva) and Vaishnavism (devotees of Vishnu). She is usually worshipped at night, using secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices. The Buddhist goddesses Vajravarahi and Marichi have their origins in the Hindu goddess Varahi.
☀ According to the “Shumbha-Nishumbha” story of the Devi Mahatmya from the Markandeya Purana religious texts, the “Matrikas goddesses” appear as “Shaktis (feminine powers)” from the bodies of the gods.
When the demon “Shumbha” challenges Durga to combat, She absorbs the Matrikas into herself. It has been described in the scriptures that Matrikas dance on the demons’ blood after the battle.
☀ The scriptures/texts say Varahi was created from Varaha. She has a boar form, wields a chakra (discus) and fights with a sword. Varahi is considered to be the fifth among the Matrikas.
☀ According to “Devi Mahatmya” (a Hindu philosophical text describing the Goddess, known as Mahadevi or Adishakti) that deals with the killing of the demon “Raktabija”, the warrior-goddess Durga creates the Matrikas from herself and with their help slaughters the demon army.
☀ In the “Vamana Purana”, the Matrikas arise from different parts of the Divine Mother Chandika; Varahi arises from Chandika’s back.
☀ In the “Devi Bhagavata Purana,” the Earth is considered the receptacle of all things moving and non-moving. After killing the demon “Hiranyaksha”, Varaha rescues Prithvi and sets her afloat on the waters.
Assuming the splendid form of the cosmic boar, He copulates with her and impregnates her. The Earth then gave birth to the planet Mars (Mangal). Varaha worships her as Devi Incarnate.
☀ The Earth Mother replies that at his command she will assume the form of “Varahi” and easily support the whole world of moving and non-moving things on her back.
☀ Goddess Varahi is depicted with her characteristic sow face on a human body with a black complexion comparable to a storm cloud. She is described as holding the earth on her tusks, similar to Varaha.
☀ Varahi wears the “Karanda Mukuta,” a conical basket-shaped crown. She is depicted as pot-bellied and with full breasts.
☀ There is a belief that Varahi is identified with the Yoganidra of Vishnu, who holds the universe in her womb (Bhugarbha Paranmesvari Jagaddhatri).
☀ Varahi may be two, four, six or eight armed and can be depicted in sitting, standing and dancing.
☀ In the “Vishnudharmottara Purana,” “Goddess Varahi” has been described with a six arms, holding a danda (staff of punishment), khetaka (shield), khadga (sword) and pasha (noose) while performing “Abhaya” and “Varada Mudra” (blessing gesture).
☀ In Rupamandana, Varahi is depicted with four arms, carrying a ghanta (bell), a chamara (a Yak’s tail), a chakra (discus) and a gada (mace).
☀ In Purva-Karanagama mentions, “Varahi” holds the Sharanga (the bow of Vishnu), the hala (plough) and the musula (pestle). The fourth hand is held in the Abhaya (“protection gesture”) or the Varada Mudra (“Blessing gesture”).
☀ The Agni Purana portrays her wielding the gada, shankha, sword, and ankusha (goad).
☀ In the “Devi Purana,” “Varahi” is described as carrying a sword, iron club, pasha (noose), and khetka (shield).
Devi Varahi is seen seated on many mounts. The vahana (vehicle) of Varahi is usually described as a buffalo (Mahisha). In Vaishnava and Shakta tradition, she is depicted as either standing or seated on a lotus pitha (pedestal) or on her vahana (a buffalo) or on its head, or on a boar, the serpent Shesha, a horse (Jambini), a lion, or on Garuda (the eagle-man vahana of Vishnu).
One of the most well-known Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu is the “Sri Maha Varahi Amman Temple” in Sholinghur. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Varahi, a divine and powerful deity in Hinduism. Sholinghur is a town in Vellore district, and the Varahi Amman Temple there is considered a significant pilgrimage site for devotees seeking the blessings and protection of Goddess Varahi.
Goddess Varahi’s influence transcends Hinduism. In Tibetan Buddhism, she manifests as a “Dakini,” an enlightened and compassionate deity adored for her protecting abilities. Devotees believe that she has the power to discern omens and predictions, assisting people in transcending material attachments like greed and desire. “Vajravarahi” (“Vajra-hog” or Buddhist Varahi), the most popular form of the Buddhist goddess “Vajrayogini”, originated from the Hindu Varahi.
Vajravarahi is referred to as Varahi in Buddhism. Vajravarahi inherited Varahi’s fierce nature and wrath. Both are employed to eliminate adversaries. The sow head of Varahi is also depicted as the right-side head attached to the main head of Vajravarahi. According to Tibetan scriptures, the hog head represents the sublimation of ignorance (“Moha”). It is believed that “Varahi” enters the Buddhist pantheon through the yogatantras.
Varahi is depicted in the “Sarvatathagatatattvasamgaraha” (a Bhuddist tantric text) as a “Shaiva sarvamatr” (“All-mother”) located in hell who is converted to the Buddhist mandala by Vajrapani and given the name Vajramukhi (“Vajra-face”). Varahi also makes an appearance in the Heruka-mandala as an attendant goddess. Varahi, along with “Varttali” (another form of Varahi), appears as the attendant of Marichi, who also has a sow face.
The “Varahi Gayatri mantra” is a powerful mantra that should be chanted three, twenty-one, or 108 times every day.
“Om Shyamalaayai Vidmahae Hala Hasthaya Dhimahi Thanno Vaaraahi Prachodhayaath”...
Varahi Mool Mantra
Om Aim Hreem ShreemAim Gloum AimNamo BhagavathiVarthali VarthaliVarahi VarahiVarahamuki VarahamukiAnthe Anthini NamahaRunthe Runthini NamahaJambe Jambini NamahaMohe Mohini NamahaSthambe Sthambini NamahaSarvadusta Pradustanaam SarvesaamSarva Vaak Sidha SakchurMukagathi JihwaStambanam kuru KuruSeegram VasyamAim GloumTaha, iTaha, thaha, ThahaHum Astraya phat Swaha ||
Chanting “the Varahi Moola Mantra,” whether three, twenty-one, or one hundred and eight times every day, has great spiritual importance. Pomegranate fruits and lemon rice are offered by devotees as naivedya (offerings). Those seeking the blessings of Varahi are urged to practice continuously for forty-eight days.
“Dwadasha” means twelve in Sanskrit, whereas Nama means names. Thus, the “Varahi Dwadasanama Stotram” has 12 names of Sri Varahi Devi.
अस्य श्रीवाराही द्वादशनामस्तोत्रस्य अश्वानन ऋषिः ।अनुष्टुप्छन्दः । श्रीवाराही देवता ।श्रीवाराहि प्रसादसिद्ध्यर्थं सर्वसङ्कटहरण जपे विनियोगः ।पञ्चमी दण्डनाथा च सङ्केता समयेश्वरी ।तथा समयसङ्केता वाराही पोत्रिणी शिवा ॥ १॥वार्ताली च महासेनाऽऽज्ञाचक्रेश्वरी तथा ।अरिघ्नी चेति सम्प्रोक्तं नाम द्वादशकं मुने ॥ २॥नाम द्वादशधाभिज्ञ वज्रपञ्जरमध्यगः ।सङकटे दुःखमाप्नोति न कदाचन मानवः ॥ ३॥इति श्री वाराही द्वादशनाम स्तोत्रम् सम्पूर्णम् ।
In Hindu tradition, it is believed that worshipping goddess varahi provides the One with many blessings.
☀ Varahi is believed to provide protection from negative energies.
☀ Worshipping her is said to bring success and prosperity in One’s life.
☀ Praying her can improve health and cure diseases.
☀ She is regarded as an obstacle remover who assists in overcoming challenges and hurdles and who helps one develop inner strength, courage and confidence.
Lord Varahi Amman is traditionally worshiped on ‘Tuesdays’ and ‘Fridays’, which are considered auspicious days for her. Furthermore, the following days are considered crucial for worshiping Varahi Amman.
☀ ‘Ashtami’ and ‘Navami’ (the eighth and ninth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month)
☀ ‘Amavasya’ (New Moon Day)
☀ ‘Purnima’ (Full Moon Day)
☀ ‘Vijayadashami’, which is the tenth day of the Navaratri celebration.
However, it is crucial to remember that various locations and traditions may have their own set of days or occasions for worshiping Lord Varahi Amman. It is important to get guidance from a priest or a local religious authority on the right days and ceremonies for her devotion.
1. Varahi Temple, Chaurasi Odisha
2. Varahi Temple, Varanasi
3. Varahi Temple, Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu
4. Varahi Temple, Uthirakosamangai, Tamil Nadu
5. Ashta-Varahi temple (Eight forms of Devi Varahi), Salamedu near Villupuram, Tamil Nadu
6. Varahi Temple, Sozhinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
7. Varahi Temple, Phewa Lake, Nepal
References
1. Varahi Vajravarahi in the Tantras by VANDANA KANORIA
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