In Tantric Buddhist tradition the practitioner takes refuge in the Triple Gem which is referred to as the outer refuge. The objects of the inner refuge are said to be Gurus, Istadevas and Dakinis. Dakinis are obviously representatives of Sangha in the inner refuge. They are peaceful as well as wrathful. They
wear bone ornaments. Some are in dancing posture. Some are even nude.
These Dakinis generally travel through empty space hence also called Sky-goers. They help the practitioners by eliminating different obstacles and by guiding to realization of the path to enlightenment. They are able to grant eight great powers (skthastasiddhi) to all devoted practitioners.
Some Dakinis are animal faced like Simhavaktra (lion-faced), Vajravarahi (sow-faced), Sardulamukha (tiger-faced) and many others. Vajrayogini is said to be Sarva-Buddha Dakini who confers Buddhahood to the practitioners. These Buddha Dakinis are said to be the representatives of Wisdom or Prajna-paramita.
From: Iconography of Nepali Buddhism.
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