The 12 Sacred Names of Goddess Vārāhī – Devas Unlimited

Devas Unlimited  ·  Śakti Sādhanā

The 12 Sacred Names of Goddess Vārāhī

A Spiritual Shield of Courage, Protection, and Divine Command

Goddess Vārāhī

In the worship of the Divine Mother, every name carries power.

A name is not just a word. It is a doorway into an aspect of the deity. When we chant the names of Goddess Vārāhī, we are not merely remembering Her; we are invoking Her presence, Her protection, and Her guidance within our own life.

Among the many sacred ways to worship Vārāhī Devī, the 12 names of Śrī Vārāhī hold special significance. These names reveal Her as protector, commander, guide, remover of enemies, and the one who gives spiritual direction to the seeker.

Why the 12 Names Are Important

The 12 names of Vārāhī are traditionally understood as a powerful spiritual protection. They are said to create a kind of vajra pañjara — a diamond-like protective cage around the devotee.

This protection is not only from external difficulties. It also protects us from inner enemies such as fear, confusion, ego, weakness, anger, doubt, and lack of discipline.

When chanted with devotion, these names remind us that the Divine Mother is not far away. She is the strength that rises within us when we feel weak. She is the clarity that appears when we feel lost. She is the courage that helps us stand firm.

The 12 Names of Vārāhī

Each name carries a deep meaning and reveals one form of Her grace.

01

Pañcamī

02

Daṇḍanāthā

03

Saṅketā

04

Samayeśvarī

05

Samayasaṅketā

06

Vārāhī

07

Potriṇī

08

Śivā

09

Vārtālī

10

Mahāsenā

11

Ājñā Cakreśvarī

12

Arighnī

01

Pañcamī — The Fifth Divine Mother

Vārāhī is known as Pañcamī because She is the fifth among the Aṣṭa Mātṛkās, the eight Mother Goddesses.

This name reminds us that She is part of the great cosmic order of the Divine Feminine. She is not only a fierce force; She is also a motherly presence who protects the seeker through strength and discipline.

02

Daṇḍanāthā — The Commander

Daṇḍanāthā means the one who holds the staff and commands the divine army.

In the Śrī Vidyā tradition, Vārāhī Devī is known as the Commander-in-Chief of Śrī Lalitā Mahā Tripurasundarī's forces. This name shows Her power to lead, correct, and protect.

Spiritually, Daṇḍanāthā is the force that brings us back to discipline when we lose direction.

03 & 05

Saṅketā & Samayasaṅketā — The Keeper of Sacred Codes

These names point to the hidden and subtle nature of spiritual practice.

Not everything on the path is obvious. Some truths unfold only through sincerity, patience, and inner readiness. Vārāhī Devī helps the seeker understand the deeper meaning behind sādhana, pūjā, and spiritual discipline.

She teaches that the outer act of worship must become an inner awakening.

04

Samayeśvarī — Mistress of the Sacred Path

Samayeśvarī means the one who governs the path of rules, discipline, and sacred order.

This name reminds us that spiritual growth needs structure. Devotion is beautiful, but devotion with discipline becomes transformative.

Vārāhī Devī helps the seeker walk the path with commitment, respect, and steadiness.

06

Vārāhī — The Divine Power Behind Varāha

The name Vārāhī connects Her to the Varāha avatāra of Lord Viṣṇu, who lifted the Earth from the cosmic waters.

This symbolism is deeply meaningful. Just as Varāha lifted the Earth, Vārāhī lifts the devotee from emotional heaviness, confusion, karmic burden, and spiritual forgetfulness.

She helps us rise again.

07

Potriṇī — The One Who Carries Us Across

Potriṇī refers to Her boar-faced form and symbolizes the power to stay afloat and move through difficult waters.

Life often brings uncertainty. Sometimes we feel we are sinking in our own thoughts, fears, or circumstances. Vārāhī Devī, as Potriṇī, gives the strength to remain steady and cross over.

She does not always remove the waters immediately. Sometimes She teaches us how to swim through them.

08

Śivā — The Auspicious One

Though Vārāhī is fierce, She is also Śivā — ever auspicious.

Her fierceness is not destructive in a negative sense. It is the destruction of what harms the soul. She removes what blocks our truth, our clarity, and our growth.

Her grace may feel powerful, but it is always rooted in divine compassion.

09

Vārtālī — The Power of Sacred Speech

Vārtālī is connected with speech, communication, and divine expression.

Speech can heal, guide, protect, or disturb. Vārāhī Devī helps purify our words and strengthen our inner voice.

She reminds us to speak with truth, courage, and alignment.

10

Mahāsenā — She Who Has a Great Army

Mahāsenā means the one with a great army.

On a spiritual level, this can be understood as the many forces that support divine order. When we surrender to Vārāhī Devī, we are not alone. Her protection works through visible and invisible means.

She strengthens the body, mind, and spirit so that the devotee can continue the journey.

11

Ājñā Cakreśvarī — Ruler of the Ājñā Chakra

Ājñā means command. The ājñā chakra is the center of inner guidance, clarity, and higher direction.

Vārāhī Devī as Ājñā Cakreśvarī gives the command that helps the seeker move beyond personal effort into divine guidance.

This name is a reminder that true progress comes not only through willpower, but also through grace.

12

Arighnī — Remover of Enemies

Arighnī means the destroyer of enemies.

These enemies may be external challenges, but they are also the inner forces that weaken us: fear, laziness, ego, jealousy, anger, attachment, and doubt.

When we invoke Vārāhī as Arighnī, we pray for the removal of anything that blocks our path toward truth.

· · ✦ · ·

A Simple Practice with the 12 Names

During Vārāhī Navarātri, devotees may meditate on these 12 names with reverence.

You may sit quietly, light a lamp, and chant or read the names slowly. After each name, pause and reflect on what that quality means in your own life.

Questions for inner inquiry

  • Where do I need protection?
  • Where do I need discipline?
  • Where do I need courage?
  • Which inner enemy am I ready to overcome?
  • Where do I need divine command and clarity?

Even a simple practice done with sincerity can become powerful.

The Blessing of Vārāhī's Names

The 12 names of Vārāhī are not merely names of a deity. They are 12 forms of divine support.

She protects.
She commands.
She corrects.
She lifts.
She guides.
She removes obstacles.

When we remember Her names, we remember the strength already placed within us by the Divine Mother.

Om Śrī Vārāhyai Namaḥ

May Goddess Vārāhī protect us with Her diamond-like grace.
May Her 12 sacred names strengthen our mind, purify our path,
and guide us toward courage, clarity, and divine command.

Om Shāntiḥ  ·  Shāntiḥ  ·  Shāntiḥ

Devas Unlimited  |  Bangalore  |  devasunlimited.com