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Figure - Vasya Vajravarahi

Vasya Vajravarahi

  • Object:

    Figure

  • Place of origin:

    Tibet (made)

  • Date:

    16th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Cast bronze

  • Credit Line:

    Bequeathed by W.C.H. Shannon, RA

  • Museum number:

    IM.197-1937

  • Gallery location:

    South-East Asia, room 47a, case 13

  • Download image

Vasya Vajravarahi ('Diamond Sow') represents wisdom and emptiness. Her symbol, the boar's head emerging from her skull, represents the delusion of ignorance that must be overcome in tantric practice. Her name itself signifies the Varahi or female aspect of the boar manifestation of Visnu, Varaha, of Vajrayana Buddhism. She is a form of dakini, goddesses who 'walk in the sky', and ultimately represents inner space. Such figures appear to inspire, instruct and initiate human practitioners.

Physical description

Figure of Vasya Vajravarahi, cast bronze.

Place of Origin

Tibet (made)

Date

16th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Cast bronze

Dimensions

Height: 23 cm, Width: 12 cm

Historical context note

This wild goddess is identified as the Varahi (female aspect of the boar manifestation of Visnu, Varaha) of the vajra sect, that is, of Vajrayana or Mahayana Buddhism. Her sow character is seen in the pig's head which issues from her right ear. In Tibet she is represented as a dakini, a cruel form of sakti, and when wielding the vajrakartr, the saw knife surmounted with a vajra (dorge), is known as Vasya-Vajravarahi. She dances on a corpse, carries a skull-cup (kapala) and is garlanded with severed heads.

Descriptive line

Figure of Vasya Vajravarahi, cast bronze, Tibet, 16th century.

Materials

Bronze

Techniques

Cast

Subjects depicted

Buddhist

Categories

Sculpture; Buddhism

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O24884
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