The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c19.s1.t10.2

c19.s1.t10.2

Vajrayoginī is another of the important and popular goddesses who does not seem to bear the image of any of the Dhyāni Buddhas on the crown. Four Sādhanas describe her forms, which are three in number and conform to two distinct types, very different form each other. In one case, she has no head on her shoulder, but carries it in her hand, and in another, she has her head intact. The former form is identical in appearance with the Hindu goddess Cchinnamastā belonging to the group of ten Mahāvidyās. It is therefore possible to conclude that this Buddhist goddess was borrowed and incorporated wholly into their pantheon by the Hindus. She is always accompanied by the two Yoginīs on either side of her, who are called Vajravairocanī and Vajravaṛṇanī. The Sādhana describing her headless form is as follows: