Standing Vajrayogini
Material: Bronze
Origin: Nepal
Height: 21 cm
Code: VS-032
Vajrayogini is a general term for a female tantric deity. Here is a statue of vajravarahi, one of the forms of vajrayogini. She is supposedly red in colour, holds a chopper or curved knife with a vajra handle in her right hand (the chopper is a symbol of cutting worldly concepts). Her left hand carries a skull-cup. A trident or Khatvanga that is topped with a thunderbolt rests in the crook of her left arm. In this statue, a pig's head emerges from behind her head right, in contrast to the commonly seen pig's head from behind her right ear. The pig's head represents her conquest of ignorance. She wears a crown made of five human skulls and adorns a garland of 51 severed heads (represent the 51 mental states). Standing on a dome-shaped sun disc on top of a half lotus, her right leg is extended while her left leg is slightly bent. Beneath her feet are two human figures representing delusion that obstruct enlightenment. There is a halo of flames behind her. She has three eyes, with the centre eye representing wisdom insight. Her fanged teeth conveys the power of conquest against maras or obstacles.