Black complexioned like that of a storm cloud Goddess Varahi is described as the Shakti or feminine energy in Hinduism and is the divine consort of Varaha, the boar avatar of Lord Vishnu. She is one of the seven Matrikas and holds a great reverence in Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism. This bronze sculpture of the Goddess, is depicted as seated in lalitasana on a heighted pedestal, chiselled in floral patterns forming graceful designs in its various layers. Her left leg rests on an outgrown lotus flower at the bottom as a sign of her grace, purity and divinity.
The most distinctive aspect of Goddess Varahi is her head of a sow and body of a human female. This combination is often used in curses to protect land from invaders, new rulers and trespassers. Keeping up to the expectations, the sculptor has realistically carved Goddess Varahi’s body structure, keenly focussing on all her beauteous attributes and iconographic features. You will be amazed by the luscious flow of silk sari, with its pleats covering her torso beautifully and form a charming horizontally layered pattern at her legs. She is embellished in chakra earrings and multiple necklaces along with other knickknacks that add to her aesthetics and cosmic aura.
This bronze sculpture of Varahi is ornated with lavishly designed karanda mukta (a conical basket shaped crown). Having a stylized tomb like top. She is carved here as ashtabhujadhari (one with eight limbs); anterior hands are in a gesture of abhaya and varada mudra respectively and the remaining six hands hold Goddess Varahi’s desired weapons like, chakra, conch, plough, chamara (yak’s tail), ankusa (goad) and a noose respectively. This bronze Varahi sculpture is sculpted in the best of its iconic aspects and neatness.
There is no mistaking the sow-faced Devi. Of the Saptamatrkas, the name given to the seven (‘sapta’) maternal deities (‘matrka’) of the Hindu pantheon, Hers is the most distinctive form of the lot. She is the Lord Varaha, the porcine avatara of Lord Vishnu, translated into shakti, the feminine/matter principle. As such, She is an incarnation of Bhoodevi Herself, wife of Lord Vishnu.
Beauty may not be a thing with Devi Varahi, but She is no less than the traditional Hindu Devi in terms of strength and power. Her iconography reiterates just that. She is seated in lalitasana on a multi-tiered pedestal carved with lotuses and its petals. The pleats of Her saree fall elegantly over the upturned lotus bloom of gigantic proportions that forms Her seat. Multitudinous limbs wielding a variety of weapons to fight off adharma, the mudra of aashirvada (blessing) and abhaya (fearlessness) gracing the hands of the anteriormost pair. A tall, tapering crown to go with the slender undulations of that curvaceous body. A composure of equanimity and all-encompassing wisdom characterises the unusual face of Devi Varahi.
A deep, earth-coloured monotone. The chhavi (image) of a seated, maternal Devi. A superb level of precision sculpting and attention to detail. All these contribute to an aesthetics that is at once grounded in the great Indian sculptural tradition and stands the test of time.
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