Vajra Varahi, Dorje Phagmo

Skt., vajravarahi
Tib., rDo-rJe phagmo
Diamond Sow

In most illustrations, Dorje Phagmo is shown with the head of a sow clearly emanating from her head, indicating her identity. In her left hand, below her breast, she holds a skull cup - in her right hand, she a brandishes a flaying knife.

Said to be a fierce aspect of the Vajrayogini, she is regarded as the empress of the dancing, fierce dakinis. Vajravarahi represents passion and compassion, and ignorance as well as the wisdom of the all-encompassing matrix from which all phenomea unfold.
She is associated with the Buddha Vairocana, her partner is Chakrasamvara, and she was the tutelary dakini of the adepts Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa and Phagmogru. As such, she is an especially important figure within the Kagyudpa lineage.

Five of Vajravarahi's emanations are known as the five Wisdom Dakinis, who appear in the bardo teachings of the Nyingmapa and the Drugpa schools. Apart from these, also the five important women in the life of Padmasambhava are regarded as emanations and/or incarnations of Vajravarahi.

According to a German author (Voss. Schwarzmond Tabu. pp. 174ff), this goddess is also specifically associated with menstruation.