Toh 378The Preeminence of Vārāhī, a Sovereign Tantra

Exposition of the Scripture of Supreme Vārāhī

Background

The scripture Vajravārāhyabhibhava (Supreme Vārāhī) is a tantric scripture belonging to the Kangyur collection, expressing the Vajrayāna tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This scripture focuses on the venerable Lady of Bliss, Vārāhī, a powerful tantric deity who represents inexpressible wisdom and boundless power.

Vārāhī, whose name means "sow" in Sanskrit, does not refer merely to a coarse animal. In Tantra, this image symbolizes the ability to penetrate deeply into the nature of all things, as this animal digs into the earth in search of what lies beneath. The scripture was composed to develop confidence in and meditation upon this goddess, with the purpose of awakening wisdom and boundless knowledge.

The historical context shows that Vārāhī was revered from the period of late Indian Buddhism, around the ninth to eleventh centuries, when tantric systems of meditation reached maturity. Indian elder masters such as Nāropa and Marpa transmitted teachings on Vārāhī as a powerful means for spiritual transformation and the attainment of awakening.

Main Contents

The Scripture of Supreme Vārāhī emphasizes the superiority of the venerable Lady of Bliss, Vārāhī, over other deities. The word "Abhibhava" (supreme, preeminent) in the title shows that Vārāhī is declared to be higher and more powerful than other forces in the universe.

This scripture teaches that Vārāhī embodies a brightly colored goddess, with a slightly red or blue body, depending on the specific tradition, possessing the power to destroy all obstacles. She bears as her emblem a sow or an axe, symbolizing the ability to penetrate delusion and break spiritual bonds. She often appears in a dancing posture, expressing the ceaseless power of action (karma) of wisdom.

The core of the scripture is the teaching of meditative practice (sādhana) for uniting the practitioner’s mind with the mind of Vārāhī.