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Four-Armed Goddess, possibly Sarada

late 9th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 237
This crowned goddess, wearing a distinctive Kashmiri-style kurta-mode of dress, holds an upright sword in one hand and the severed head of a goat in the other. She likely represents Sarada (autumn), the Kashmiri synonym for Saravati, the goddess of learning. Her two lower hands rest on two diminutive male figures, each holding a manuscript, who presumably embody the complementary elements of knowledge (vidya) and wisdom (jnana) and consciously mimic Vishnu’s personified weapons, the purusas. The Sarada Mahatmya speaks of offering meat to Sarada, a reminder of her Durga-like origins, alongside her role as the embodiment of knowledge texts.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Four-Armed Goddess, possibly Sarada
  • Date: late 9th century
  • Culture: India (Jammu and Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir)
  • Medium: Chlorite schist
  • Dimensions: H. 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm); W. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm); D. 3 in. (7.6 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Lewis, 1984
  • Object Number: 1984.488
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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