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Lot Essay
The saptamatrika, or "seven mothers," were created by Durga to harness the shakti of all female celestial beings to fight the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The matrikas assisted Durga in her task, and after nine days of fighting, they defeated the demon and restored the heavens to the gods.
Each goddess can be recognized by at least one characteristic element borrowed from the god whose energy or power she represents: Brahmani at first, three-headed like Brahma; Parvati with Nandi and holding Shiva's attributes; Kaumari with the peacock. They are typically depicted in dancing poses; for another example, formerly in the Paul F. Walter Collection, see P. Pal, Indian Sculpture, vol. I, 1988, fig. 38, p. 103-105.
Each goddess can be recognized by at least one characteristic element borrowed from the god whose energy or power she represents: Brahmani at first, three-headed like Brahma; Parvati with Nandi and holding Shiva's attributes; Kaumari with the peacock. They are typically depicted in dancing poses; for another example, formerly in the Paul F. Walter Collection, see P. Pal, Indian Sculpture, vol. I, 1988, fig. 38, p. 103-105.