The Goddess Durga

Datecirca late-18th century

MediumCream sandstone with some red pigment

Dimensions54 1/2 × 16 1/2 × 8 1/2 in. (138.4 × 41.9 × 21.6 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936

Object numberSN5409

Durga is the mother goddess in Hinduism and is represented in many forms and is known by many names, such as Kali and Camunda. Here, she stands at ease with four arms, carrying a trident, sword, snake, and bowl for blood or life-giving nectar. At her feet is her vahana, any vehicle that carries around an immortal, in the form of a dog-like lion. Often times, she is portrayed with her vahana being a lion. She is heavily adorned with jewelry, wearing necklaces, bracelets on each arm, anklets, ear ornaments, and a crown similar to those seen in late Mughal and Rajput paintings. Her clothes consist of a girdle, a bodice, and long pants. Durga also bears many markings, such as flower blossoms on her biceps which are likely tattoos, a dot on each of her cheeks, and an urna, third all-seeing eye, between her eyes.

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