9" Eight-Armed Durga on Her Mount | Handmade Brass Sculpture

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Essentially a votive icon, the artist has represented the goddess in her absolute form, not an aspect of her engaged in this or that act, or one of her many manifestations. Seated in ‘lalitasana’ – the posture revealing beauty and ease, with her left leg suspending down, while the right, placed horizontally on her left in semi-yogasana posture, she assures of protection by her mere presence, not by any of her acts.

Initially the Divine Female, the Devi, the Great Goddess, was perceived as being three aspected : ferocious, valorous and lovable or beautiful, that subsequently concretised in her three manifest forms, named Kali, Durga and Parvati; Kali, manifesting ferociousness, sought to destroy; Durga, manifesting valour, effected sustenance, and Parvati, manifesting beauty, love and service, represented absolute womanhood.

In her role as sustainer Durga too was required to destroy, in particular the evil that threatened life and cosmic order, though not in Kali’s ferocious form but rather in her benign appearance and feminine softness, the aspects of Parvati. Thus Durga’s form that evolved in the tradition synthesised the forms of Kali and Parvati too. Her lion symbolised her valorous aspect and her might, and the attributes of war that she carried in her hands, her ability to destroyed, but she is not conceived as always in action as is Kali or Mahishasura-Mardini like her own manifest forms.

With her greater breadth the lion-riding, and usually the eight-armed, Durga emerges in the devotional tradition as the most widely worshipped form of the Devi and perhaps a votive form that outstands all others. A tiny icon, the statue has well defined anatomy and facial features, a rounded face, sharp nose, wide open eyes, prominent cheeks and forehead and an elaborate neck. This effulgent form of the goddess sitting on her mount in full ease has been lavishly bejewelled. She is wearing an elegantly plaited sari and an luxuriantly embroidered blouse.

Though she is putting on her head a large magnificent crown inlaid with precious stones and a halo-like circular disc attached to it on its back (see reverse image), her tresses lay beautifully exposed covering her shoulders and back. Besides the usual ornaments on her neck, breast, ears, nose, arms, wrists, feet and other parts, she is also putting on a large ‘vaijayanti’ – a garland of fresh Parijata flowers reaching down her ankles. The soles of her feet reveal marks of divinity. The statue has been installed on a dual pedestal, the lower part being a usual moulding but the upper one on which stands the goddess’s mount comprises a hilly terrain.

Durga, the formidable warrior goddess, embodies her martial prowess through striking iconography. Her visual representation harmonizes with her fierce attributes. She fearlessly mounts a lion or a tiger, bearing between eight to eighteen hands, each wielding a weapon for the dual purpose of destruction and creation. While her icon portrays her in dynamic action, her countenance remains tranquil and serene.

Traditionally, Durga wields an array of weapons bestowed upon her by male Hindu deities, recognizing her as the embodiment of shakti (energy and power). In Hindu art, the serenity in her face reflects the belief that her protective yet fierce nature arises not from hatred or ego, nor a pleasure in violence. Instead, it stems from her necessity to act, driven by love for the good, the liberation of those who rely on her, and marks the commencement of the soul's journey toward creative freedom.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

The Fierce and Powerful Goddess Durga: Discovering the Symbolism and Significance

Goddess Durga is a revered deity in Hinduism and she is worshiped by many people in the eastern part of India and also in other countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. She is considered the mother of this material world who takes care of the conditioned souls trapped in the material existence. She protects them from the demons who threaten peace and establishes Dharma. In the Shakta tradition or Shaktism (those who believe that feminine energy is supreme), Mother Durga has been given the highest position. She is often considered the expansion of Mother Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva who is the destroyer of the material world. The Vaishnavas consider Mother Durga as the external energy of the Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu. She takes charge of the material world and reforms those souls who do not abide by the rules of the Supreme Lord.

Mother Durga is often depicted as a young and beautiful woman, wearing a saree, and sitting on a tiger or lion. She has multiple arms (usually ten arms) that hold different items and weapons that express her martial skills. She tramples down the demon Mahishasura, with her trident, representing the subduer of vices.

What does Durga symbolize?

Being the powerful assistant of the Supreme Lord, Mother Durga tests our dedication to the Lord. She represents the material nature and like a loving mother, she gives a clarion call to all forgetful souls to turn their faces towards Lord Krishna, who is the only well-wisher of all living entities. The depiction of her violently killing the demon Mahishasura with her trident shows her extraordinary prowess. Mahishasura represents our demoniac mentality that wants to enjoy separately from the Supreme Lord, forgetting our eternal relationship with Him. Goddess Durga killing the demon symbolizes the victory of good over evil or wisdom over ignorance.

Where are Durga statues made in Kolkata?

The worship of Goddess Durga is prominent in festivals such as Durga Puja, Durga Ashtami, Navaratri, etc. On those days, people gather at a place and a big idol or deity of Goddess Durga is worshiped with faith and devotion. These idols of the Goddess are made in a place called Kumortuli, located near Kolkata, West Bengal. This city is renowned for its beautiful clay sculptures made by local manufacturers.

Can we keep Durga idol at home?

You can keep a Durga deity at your home if you want to attract her mercy into your life. Goddess Durga is very merciful toward her devotees and when pleased, she bestows them with both material and spiritual benefits. Those who approach and worship Goddess Durga with material desires in their hearts, she fulfills them. But if a person genuinely approaches her and prays to her to reveal about the Absolute Truth and the real goal of human life to them, being the superintendent of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, she blesses them with the light of knowledge about the Lord and inspires them to walk the path of devotion to Lord Vishnu.