1984.477: The Emergence of Kaushiki, Preparatory Drawing for a Devi Mahatmya (Glory of the Goddess) Series

Identification and Creation

Object Number

1984.477

Title

The Emergence of Kaushiki, Preparatory Drawing for a Devi Mahatmya (Glory of the Goddess) Series

Classification

Drawings

Work Type

drawing

Date

c. 1780

Places

Creation Place: South Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra

Culture

Indian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/216183

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and watercolor on paper; Pahari Style, Kangra School

Dimensions

17.9 x 25.5 cm (7 1/16 x 10 1/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Philip Hofer

Accession Year

1984

Object Number

1984.477

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

The drawing features the Hindu goddess Kaushiki, standing on a rock at the bank of a river. Kaushiki is a manifestation of the goddess Parvati. She is noted for her extreme beauty as well as her ferocity at battle. In the text, the Devi Mahatmya (Glory of the Goddess), she is described as having slain demon armies that captured the heavens from the gods and forced them out of their divine realm to earth. Here, Kaushiki is accompanied by a female attendant. Beyond a small hill, on the left, stand a group of crowned figures, who most likely represent celestial figures that live in the heavens and were forced to earth. Pahari Style, Kangra School.

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