Vasya Vajravarahi
Figure
16th century (made)
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Vasya Vajravarahi (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Figure of Vasya Vajravarahi, cast bronze, Tibet, 16th century. |
| Physical description | Figure of Vasya Vajravarahi, cast bronze. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by W.C.H. Shannon, RA |
| Historical context | This wild goddess is identified as the Varahi (female aspect of the boar manifestation of Vishnu, 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. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | Tibetan art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1973
p. 25, pl. 7 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.197-1937 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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