The cult of Mahamayuri was widespread in Sichuan, although this deity - the only female Vidyaraja - seems little-known outside of that area. She rides the peacock, an enemy of snakes, to symbolize her power against snakebite. She also granted protection against drought and many other evils. Her inclusion at Baodingshan is explained not only by her regional popularity, but more particularly by her local title of Buddha's Mother: in Esoteric doctrine, Maya was considered to be the mother of Buddha only in respect to his physical body, while Mahamayuri was the mother of Buddha in respect to his metaphysical body.