Goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahisha

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The warrior goddess Durga is celebrated in Hindu India as the supreme protectress of devotees. As an expression of the wrathful aspect of Parvati, Shiva’s consort, she epitomizes shakti, or divine female energy. The goddess assumed a multi-armed form, known as Mahishasuramardini, to wield weapons lent to her by male gods unable to subdue the demon Mahisha. Disguised in buffalo form, the demon assailed Durga, only to be slain by her cosmic weaponry.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art