Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya

Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

After witnessing the destruction of his armies, the demon Mahisha in his buffalo form confronts Durga, crushing some of her troops under his hooves. The goddess is shown taking a drink of powerful nectar; the text tells us that she laughs with reddened eyes before entering into combat. While this drawing lacks the final application of colored pigments, it is significant that the preparatory image was brought to such a finished form; especially notable is the volumetric treatment of the buffalo.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi MahatmyaDurga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi MahatmyaDurga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi MahatmyaDurga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi MahatmyaDurga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya

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.