Mahishasuramardini
unknown (Indian (South Asian))
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Alternate file
Alternative Title
Goddess Durga Victorious over the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini)
Date
800-899Description
Overall view; Representations of the goddess Durga killing the buffalo demon (Mahishasuramardini) are celebrated throughout India. When the gods were defeated by the lord of the demons, Mahisha, they pleaded with Durga, the incarnation of female energy, to defend the universe. Having been given a weapon by each of the gods and thus possessing all of their powers, she defeated first the demon's armies and then Mahisha himself, who had taken the form of a buffalo. In this sculpture from Madhya Pradesh, Durga stands on the vanquished beast. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art [website]; http://www.metmuseum.org (accessed 4/6/2015)
Type of Work
sculpture (visual work)Subject
deities, Hinduism, Gurjara-Partihara
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only