Durga, the Slayer of Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini)
Artist
Southern Indian
Date15th Century–16th Century
Mediumbronze
Dimensions8 x 5.3 x 3 cm (3 1/8 x 2 1/16 x 1 3/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Yankauer
Object number1985.330
Label Text2005-02-26: Durga, The Slayer of Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini),
15th-16th century
Bronze; one arm missing
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Yankauer, 1985.330
With her origins in village goddesses and the supernatural beings of the forests and mountains, Durga is worshipped as a female destroyer of demons. Most notably she also killed the Mahishasura, the "buffalo-demon" who had established himself in heaven and driven out the gods. Using a variety of weapons loaned to her by the gods, including the trident (trishula) and round shield (khetaka) seen here, the four-armed Durga attacked the demon that kept on changing form. When the demon transformed itself into a buffalo [here seen under her left foot] she could finally slay and decapitate it. In her fiercest aspect Durga is Kali, the all-devouring feminine power of Lord Shiva. In her bountiful aspect she is a "nourisher of herbs" (Shakambari). Durga demands from her devotees complete subjugation and a willingness to make ultimate sacrifices. Notes:Evoking Rasa in Luminous Visions: Indian Art from the Chester and Davida Herwitz CollectionProvenanceDr. and Mrs. Alfred Yankauer, Amherst, MAOn View
Not on view