Jul 18
Goddess Mangala, from a Devi Series, c. 1660 gum tempera on paper, 24.8 x 21 cm Cleveland Museum of Art
The four-armed goddess sits on an open lotus against a dark green background. She holds a discus, sword, bowl of cakes, and a shield. Banana trees flank her, and her tiger mount stands beneath. The subject in the painting appears to be a regional form of the Devi. Mangala goddess embodies prosperity, and protection. She sits in a meditative posture on a pink lotus flower, symbolising purity, spiritual growth, and inner peace in the material world. Next to her is her tiger mount representing mastery over cosmic power, wild nature, and aggression.
