Description

This 12th-century sculpture from Madhya Pradesh beautifully depicts Kamdhenu, the divine cow, tenderly nursing her calf—a quiet yet powerful image of motherhood, care, and abundance. Unlike highly stylized or idealized forms, this sculpture embraces a more naturalistic approach, capturing the gentle bond between mother and child. It reflects the deep cultural reverence for the cow as Gau Mata, the life-giver and nurturer in Hindu tradition. Interestingly, similar motifs appear in ancient Egyptian and Assyrian art as well, highlighting the cow’s universal symbolism across civilizations as a source of nourishment, protection, and life itself.