The goddess Durga fighting demons, from the Devi Mahatmya
The goddess Durga fighting demons, from the Devi Mahatmya

On view

South Asian Art

The goddess Durga fighting demons, from the Devi Mahatmya,

ca. 1690–1710

Indian
y1947-341.6

After a long battle, the goddess Durga annihilates Mahishasura. This act signifies not only the fierce aspect of the feminine but also her role as the restorer of cosmic balance.


Namrata B. Kanchan, PhD Candidate,
Department of Asian Studies, University of Texas at Austin

Information

Title
The goddess Durga fighting demons, from the Devi Mahatmya
Dates

ca. 1690–1710

Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions
14.4 × 19.1 cm (5 11/16 × 7 1/2 in.) mat: 27.9 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Frank Jewett Mather Jr.
Object Number
y1947-341.6
Place Made

Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh, Mankot

Culture
Indian
Type
manuscripts
Materials
paper (fiber product), watercolor
Subject
battles, miniatures (paintings), demons

Mankot, Himachal Pradesh, India; Professor Frank Jewett Mather Jr. (1868–1953); given to the Princeton University Art Museum, 1947.

The Goddess Durga Fighting Demons from the Devi Mahatmya

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