Vasya Vajravarahi: on view at Victoria and Albert Museum

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.

Vasya Vajravarahi

Yes, receiving visitors

About the sculpture

Particulars

In the same room · The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a, Victoria and Albert Museum

On the same theme · Buddhist

What it shows

In the catalog

Sources

Tangka, ca. 1980

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, 18th century

Ceremonial ladle, ca. 18th century

Seated Buddha, 18th century

Celestial Guardians, c. 18th century

Comb, 18th century

Indra, 17th century

Head of the Buddha, 17th century

Relief, 4th century

Sculpture, 4th century -5th Century

Relief panel, 2nd century- to 5th Century

Relief panel, 1st century

Buddha Sakyamuni Preaching, 7th- 8th century

Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni, 12th Century

Mahakala, 1650-1800

Three Heads (fragment of a wall painting), ca. 6th century