Mahadevi, the Great Goddess

India (Rajasthan, Bikaner)

Not on view

In this twenty-armed form, Mahadevi holds an array of weapons, affiliating her with all the male gods. This iconography also associates her with Durga, the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahisha. Ultimately powerful and creative, Mahadevi is understood by her devotees as the the true reality in the universe. As she was the protector deity of the ruling household of Bikaner, this representation would have had special significance for the court.

Mahadevi, the Great Goddess, Ink, opaque watercolor, and silver on paper, India (Rajasthan, Bikaner)

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