Goddess Mahi Varahi is one of five recognised forms of
Varahi described in Tantric scripture. The Varahi Tantra names these forms as
Swapna Varahi, Chanda Varahi, Mahi Varahi (also called Bhairavi), Krccha
Varahi, and Matsya Varahi. Among them, Mahi Varahi is distinguished by her
close association with Yama, the deity who governs death and cosmic justice.
This link is the reason she also carries the name Bhairavi Varahi.
The Name Dandanatha
Mahi Varahi is widely known as Dandanatha, meaning
"mistress of the staff." The title comes directly from the danda, or
rod of punishment, that she holds, symbolising her authority to enforce
discipline and cosmic law. In the Lalita Sahasranamam, she appears as the
commander of the divine forces, riding a chariot linked to the eternal cycle of
creation, preservation, and destruction. She is also addressed as Yami,
understood as the feminine power of Yama, a form that reminds devotees to
remain truthful and disciplined in conduct, since she is believed to hold each
soul accountable for its actions.
Form and Iconography
Like other forms of Varahi, Mahi Varahi is depicted with a
woman's body and the face of a sow, her complexion dark like a storm cloud.
Descriptions vary between two and six arms depending on the text followed. In
her fiercer aspect she carries the Yama Danda along with weapons such as a
shield, sword, and noose, with some hands shown in blessing gestures. While
Varahi's usual mount is the buffalo, this form is associated with a bull, an
image understood to represent the subduing of ego and base instinct.
Symbolism
The word "Mahi" means earth, and this form is
believed to embody the earth element, standing for stability and endurance even
while displaying a fierce, destructive character. The Yama Danda she carries
represents cosmic law and the certainty of consequence for one's actions,
making her a guardian of dharma who protects devotees while disciplining
wrongdoing.
Worship and Present Status
Mahi Varahi is worshipped primarily within Tantric and Shri Vidya traditions, where Varahi as a whole is regarded as an embodiment of transcendental knowledge. She is counted among the Matrikas, the group of mother goddesses, and continues to be honoured in temples dedicated to Devi Lalita Tripura Sundari, where she is invoked as commander of the divine army. Mantra recitation, homams, and night-time worship dedicated to Varahi remain in practice today. Independent shrines to Mahi Varahi specifically are rare, but her presence endures through temple sculpture, Matrika panels, and her recitation within the Lalita Sahasranamam.