SRI MAHA VARAHI

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Hiranyaksha ( the golden_eyed demon) received a boon from Brahma after he practiced severe austerities in his devotion to Him. He asked to become king of the whole world, and that no human or animal which he mentioned by name should ever have the power to harm him. He enumerated all the animals but forgot to mention the boar. Hiranyaksha wreaked havoc, plundering everything of value from the creatures of the world, including the Hindu scriptures. He even took the earth down into the ocean as a hostage. 

Vishnu assumed the boar form and plunged into the depths of the primeval ocean to rescue Earth. It took him one thousand years to kill Hiranyaksha and to lift the earth up with his great white tusks. He calmed it, and made it ready for human use by molding its mountains and continents.

  • Created from the boar avatara of Vishnu, Vaarahi is often associated with Goddess Kamala (one of the Mahavidyas).
  • She is also called the Danda-natha (Lady commander of the forces of the Mother-Goddess, symbolizing the might of SriVidya).
  • As Vaarahi ("boar-faced' or 'the great consumer') she destroys evil forces that obstructs the devotees' progress, paralyses the enemies, and lead the devotees ultimately to Sri-Vidyas.
  • She is classed as the fifth among the seven "mother-like" divinities (Saptamatrukas and hence also called Panchami).
  • With Kurukulla, she is accorded the parental status to Sri-Chakra (Lalita Tripura-Sundari). While Kurukulla represents the full moon, Vaarahi represents the new-moon. And while Vaarahi represents the illumination (prakasa) aspects of the mother-goddess, Kurukulla is the "deliberation" (vimarsa) aspect.
  • In another aspect, Vaarahi is also said to be one of the Yoginis, taking the form of a boar. She is said to lift up the earth with her tusks to confer benefits on all creatures.
  • In relation to Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, Vaarahi is one of the Dakshinis (an enlightened compassionate spirit embodied in a female form). She is the protector, the concealer and the one who recovers spiritual communication, texts and other sacred objects .

    12 Names Of Sri Varahi Amman

  1. 1.Panchami - Fifth of the eight Matrikas, power behind Sadashiva.
  2. 2.Dandhanatha - Commander in chief of Sri Lalita’s forces.
  3. 3.Sangyetha - Secret coded.
  4. 4.Samayeshwari - Goddess of rules and restrictions.
  5. 5.Samaya Sangyetha - Secret code in the Puja path.
  6. 6.Varahi - Divine power behind Varaha avatar of Vishnu.
  7. 7.Pothrini - Boar-faced, keeps devotees afloat in the world.
  8. 8.Shivaa - Auspicious.
  9. 9.Varthali - Goddess of speech.
  10. 10.Mahasena - Having great army.
  11. 11.Agnachakreshwari - Goddess of the ajna chakra.
  12. 12.Arigni - Remover of enemies and upholder of rules.

Additional Information

  • Residence: 16th Pragaram of the Sri Chakra.
  • Symbol: Purity, peace, and prosperity.
  • Origin: Emerged from the Angusam of Devi Sri Lalitha Parameshwari.
  • Role: Commander of Sri Raja Rajeshwari's battalion, fifth among Saptamatrkas (seven divine mothers).
  • Protector: Guards devotees against all odds, guides them on the right path, relieves from evil forces.
  • Temples: Varanasi, Sapta matrika temple near Omkareswar, 64 yogini temple of Hirapur in Orissa, Ganga Sagar in West Bengal, Tanjavur Brihadeeswara temple.

Worship Practices

  • Forms: Unmatta Varahi, Bruhat Varahi, Swapna Varahi, Kirata Varahi, Swetha Varahi, Dhoomra Varahi, Maha Varahi.
  • Best Times: Worship from 12 P.M. to 4 A.M.
  • Offerings: Red hibiscus, Datura flowers, butter, pomegranate, potato, sesame seed items.
  • Benefits: Removes impurities, grants knowledge of past, present, future, bestows astha aishwaryas and astha siddhis.
  • For Specific Issues: Weak lagna, Kuja/Rahu/Chandra problems, career in media, administration, social services, disputes related to land, water, court cases, stress, thyroid diseases, addictions.
  • Powerful Goddess: Capable of both agraha (wrath) and anugraha (grace), requires sincere and respectful worship.

Symbolism and Mythology

  • Symbolic Representation: Courage, fearlessness, protection of mantras, remover of addictions.
  • Mythological Role: Related to Vishnu’s Varaha avatar, involved in cosmic battles, association with Kamala and Tripura-sundari.
  • In Other Cultures: Similar boar symbolism found in Celtic, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Egyptian mythologies.
  • Psychological Aspect: Represents various emotional states like envy, courage, wealth, attachment, greed, and lust.

Varahi’s worship involves understanding her symbolic nature, maintaining respect, and seeking her guidance and protection through sincere devotion.