A DARK GRAY SCHIST STELE DEPICTING DURGA MAHISHASURAMARDINI
A DARK GRAY SCHIST STELE DEPICTING DURGA MAHISHASURAMARDINI

INDIA, KASHMIR, 7TH/8TH CENTURY

Details
A DARK GRAY SCHIST STELE DEPICTING DURGA MAHISHASURAMARDINI
INDIA, KASHMIR, 7TH/8TH CENTURY
Superbly carved with the goddess standing on a plinth, her arms radiating around her body holding various weapons, adorned with necklace, belt, sash, and tiara with flowerheads above her ears, he gently smiling face with third eye, the buffalo body and demon below, each being devoured by a lion
4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) high
Provenance
Acquired on 25 October 1997

Brought to you by

Anita Mehta
Anita Mehta

Lot Essay

Mahishasura was a pious devotee to Brahma and was rewarded with a boon that no man or god would be able to conquer him. Thus invincible, he battled the gods and took over the heavens. Helpless against Brahma's boon, the gods appealed to the goddess Parvati, who agreed to harness the shakti of all female celestial beings to fight Mahishasura. She assumed the form of Durga and each god offered her a weapon - Shiva gave his trident, Vishnu gave his chakra, and Vayu donated his bow and arrow. Durga created seven female warriors called matrikas to assist in her task and after nine days of fighting, she vanquished Mahishasura and his army and restored the heavens to the gods.

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