Demons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her Hair

Demons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her Hair

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The presence of demonic figures and of Nan Brah Dharani suggests that this plaque is part of a larger composition depicting Buddha, prior to his enlightenment, being attacked by the forces of Mara, the personification of illusion and evil.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Demons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her HairDemons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her HairDemons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her HairDemons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her HairDemons on an Elephant with Nan Brah Dharani, the Earth Goddess, Wringing Water from Her Hair

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.