Unknown Artist
- Title
- Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini)
- Other titles:
- Durga slaying the titan Mahisha
- Alternative title:
- Durga mahishasuramardini
- Place of origin
-
Rajasthan →
India
- Cultural origin
- probably Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan
- Year
- early 10th century
- Media category
- Sculpture
- Materials used
- red sandstone
- Dimensions
-
140.0 x 63.5 x 25.0cm
- Signature & date
- Not signed. Not dated.
- Credit
- Purchased with funds provided by the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales 1999
- Accession number
- 163.1999
- Location
- Upper Asian gallery
- Further information
According to mythology, the titan ('asura') Mahisha gained such enormous power through the performance of penance that he threatened the stability of the world. The gods, becoming increasingly helpless against him, begged assistance from the goddess Durga and armed her with their combined energies, weapons and powers. Thus empowered, Durga attacked and vanquished the buffalo-headed 'asura'. In this impressive, early representation, Durga attacks Mahisha and with one foot on his neck spears his bovine body with her trident. Durga’s lion mount ('vahana') aids her by attacking Mahisha’s haunches. The goddess, beautiful and serene, maintains an almost detached calm that belies the enormous drama and significance of her triumph. Although the goddess appears as an invincible Amazonian warrior, to her worshippers Durga is a maternal deity, a mother-goddess and protector of her devotees.
The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg. 22.
- Bibliography (7)
-
'A year of gifts to the Gallery' by Judith White, pg. 16., Look Dec 1999-Jan 2000, Dec 1999-Jan 2000, 16 (colour illus.).
'Asian Treasures' by Jackie Menzies, pg. 57-59., Look: 1953-2003 celebrating 50 years May 2003, May 2003, 58 (colour illus.).
'Sensuous Spirituality: Hindu and Buddhist Art from the Indic Cultural Realm' by Pratapaditya Pal, pg. 80-87., Orientations Sep 2000, Sep 2000, 86 (colour illus.). fig.11
'The Realm of the Hindu Gods', The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 22, 23 (colour illus.).
'Following th puja dancers' by Olivia Prunster pg. 13-14., Look Feb 2006, Feb 2006, 15 (colour illus.).
Jackie Menzies (Australia) (Editor), Goddess: Divine Energy, Sydney, 2006, 123 (colour illus.). cat.no. 76
'Years of enrichment', pg. 12-15., Look May 2009, May 2009, 13 (colour illus.).
