Artworks

The current painting illustrates a scene from the Devi Mahatmya, itself an episode from the Markandeya Purana, where the might of the Devi and her sakti force is brought to bear on Sumbha’s demon army. In theological terms the Devi Mahatmya and the slightly later Devi Bhagavata Purana present the Goddess as the supreme source of all divine power. These goddess traditions were closely influenced by tantric rituals and ideologies which were evidently popular in the courts of Guler, Kangra and Mandi, where the subject is frequently depicted through paintings. Here, Kausiki is shown standing behind her tiger mount which has already pounced upon its foe. The goddess in her multi-armed form is depicted brandishing weapons surrounded by various saktis, who prepare to descend upon the demon hordes.

Compare with other pages depicting similar scenes in F.S. Aijazuddin, Pahari Paintings and Sikh Portraits in the Lahore Museum, London, 1977, nos. 41 (xviii and xix), p. 47, Joachim Bautze, Lotusmund und Lowenritt: Indische Miniaturmaleri, Stuttgart, 1991, no. 17, p. 67 and Sotheby’s New York, March 22, 1989, lot 165.