Description

This sculpture of the Puranic goddess Durga as Mahisasuramardini portrays her uniquely as an eight-armed deity. She is shown standing on a pedestal under a cusped arch, with one missing leg presumably raised. Six of her arms are absent, while the remaining two are shown holding a broken shield and a missing weapon. The symbolism of Mahisasuramardini's ayudhas comes from the narrative of her origin- a goddess formed by the union of the divine energies of the Devas, thus receiving her ayudhas from different deities. In the left corner, an armed asura is shown being devoured by her vahana, the lion, while in the left corner, one can observe the damaged figure of Mahishasura on his buffalo. The armed figure of Mahisasura is also shown being defeated by Durga- thus becoming the Mahisasuramardini. Ornately decorating her, one finds a bejewelled karandamukuta and a beaded halo surrounding her. On her torso, various kinds of jewellery, including circular pearl necklaces, bangles, anklets and armlets are all present. Her garments are held in place by an elaborate girdle with pearls and tassels, which adorns her waist.