The
goddess Durga, also known as Shakti. She is the energy generated from the union
of Shiva and Parvati. Born from the mouths of the gods as jets of fire that which
took the form of the goddess as the slayer of the buffalo demon Mahisasura. She
is the root cause of creation, preservation and destruction.
Here
the goddess is seated in royal ease asana, she is wearing a majestic conical crown,
adorned with a wisdom third eye, richly jeweled with a sacred thread, a beautiful
ornate belt, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and tiara. In her two forth hands
she holds a dagger (discrimination), a chakra (righteousness), possibly a conch
(happiness), and a lotus (detachment) in the two rear hands. With a lion-headed
aureole where five cobras raised above the head of the goddess. In spite of its
small size, the statue is rendered with extraordinary fine details and beautifully
aged natural patina.
