Mahasura Attacks the Devi, Folio from a Dispersed Devi Mahatmya Series
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Object Label
This painting comes from a series illustrating the Devi Mahatmya, a text celebrating the deeds of the goddess Durga. In Hindu tradition, the greatest warrior deities are goddesses. Some of the warrior goddesses are beautiful, and others are hideous and frightening, but all are very strong and celibate. The goddess Durga was created specifically for the purpose of fighting demons; each of the male gods gave her one aspect of his power. She is usually shown with multiple arms—each of them holding a weapon donated by a male god—riding on a ferocious lion or tiger. She is lovely, but she uses her beauty to disarm her demon enemies, some of whom become smitten with her.
This painting shows a pivotal battle between Durga and a powerful demon named Mahasura. The demon, with an animal head and purple skin, appears three times, attacking the goddess with bow and arrow, sword and shield, and trident (this weapon is shown snapped in two, a sign that he will eventually lose). This repetition of the figure suggests that he exerted enormous energy in attempting to assault the goddess from every direction, while her single figure indicates that she barely needed to move to gain the upper hand.
Caption
Indian. Mahasura Attacks the Devi, Folio from a Dispersed Devi Mahatmya Series, ca. 1770–1780. Opaque watercolor on paper, sheet: 7 7/8 x 11 5/8 in. (20.0 x 29.5 cm) Image: 6 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. (17.1 x 26.7 cm.). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Poster, 85.220.2. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.220.2_IMLS_PS4.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Mahasura Attacks the Devi, Folio from a Dispersed Devi Mahatmya Series
Date
ca. 1770–1780
Geography
Place made: Guler, Punjab Hills, India
Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper
Classification
Dimensions
sheet: 7 7/8 x 11 5/8 in. (20.0 x 29.5 cm) Image: 6 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. (17.1 x 26.7 cm.)
Inscriptions
Inscription on reverse: Beholding the descending shula (missile) Devi released her shula, which becoming hundred fold, brought the great asura (Mahasura) to subjugation (S. Mitra) Recto, at top in yellow margin, in Devanagari script: 13
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Poster
Accession Number
85.220.2
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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