Varahi

Varahi is one of the Saptamatrikas (seven mother goddesses) and the Shakti of Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu. Her earliest mention occurs in the Rigveda (1.32) where Indra slays Vritra, but her full emergence is in the Puranic and Tantric traditions. The Devi Mahatmya (chapter 8) describes her as emerging from the body of the goddess Ambika to combat the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, fighting with a boar's face and fierce demeanor. In the Matsya Purana (chapter 179), she is listed among the Matrikas who assist Shiva in battle. Iconographically, Varahi is depicted with a boar's head on a human body, symbolizing her connection to Varaha who lifted the earth from the cosmic ocean.

She typically has four arms: two holding a plow and a pestle (or a club and a sword), and the other two in varada (boon-granting) and abhaya (fearlessness) mudras. Her vahana (mount) is a lion or a buffalo, and she is often shown seated on a corpse, representing her dominion over death. In the Skanda Purana (Kashi Khanda), she is worshipped as a guardian of the north-east direction. Varahi embodies the power of upliftment and protection, as Varaha rescued the earth goddess Bhudevi. She is associated with the earth and boar symbolism, representing the ability to root out evil and restore cosmic order.

In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Varahi is widely venerated in tantric traditions as a fierce mother goddess. The Varahi Tantra and other Shakta texts prescribe her worship for prosperity and victory over enemies. She is also worshipped during Navaratri and Saptamatrika Puja. In Hindu cosmology, Varahi represents the shakti of preservation and the earth's stability, ensuring the balance of dharma. Her fierce form is a reminder of the divine mother's protective and destructive aspects, necessary for the maintenance of the universe.

Boar-faced goddess. Four arms, holding weapons. Seated on a lion or buffalo. Powerful, fierce expression.