Mahisasuramardini: The Great Warrior Goddess

Contents: 1. Mahisasuramardini in Indian context. 2. Mahisasuramardini in Orissan context. 3. Mahisasuramardini beyond Hindu pantheon. 4. Iconography of Mahisasuramardini. 5. Elements of art and aesthetic in Mahisasuramardini images. Conclusion. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

Mahisasuramardini is one of the manifestations of Sakti. She is the most ferocious and popular goddess of the Hindu pantheon. As a war goddess her primary function is to combat MahiSasura, a notorious demon. She is therefore given the appellation of Mahisasuramardini. She is the most impressive and formidable goddess of the Hindu pantheon. The cult of Mahisasuramardini is of considerable antiquity. Its genesis can be traced from the Vedic literature. The Mahabharat and the Puranas have provided varied but vivid accounts of the origin of the goddess. The author besides emphasizing on the descriptions of the deity as per the Puranic texts, has also discussed the emergence and representation of the goddess who has occupied a prominent place in the sculptural history of India through the ages. Here the author presents a rich and variegated picture of the Mahisasuramardini art of Orissa and of India highlighting the evolving iconography of individual images with special reference to the Silpa. He focuses on different forms and depictions of the goddess. In this work the generalization and characteristics have been drawn on the basis of religious, cultural and iconographic studies. The book also incorporates mythology, historical development, the emergence of Mahisasuramardini in religious traditions beyond Hindu pantheon along with the elements of art and aesthetic in Mahisasuramardini images. The work abounds in photographs revealing the variety forms of the goddess and provides many maps, diagrams and iconographical charts which will create interest not only for the scholars of archeology, history and religion but also for the historians of art as well.