Untitled

Unknown

late 9th century · Chlorite schist · Asian Art

This crowned goddess, wearing a distinctive Kashmiri-style kurta-mode of dress, holds an upright sword in one hand and the severed head of a goat in the other. She likely represents Sarada (autumn), the Kashmiri synonym for Saravati, the goddess of learning. Her two lower hands rest on two diminutive male figures, each holding a manuscript, who presumably embody the complementary elements of knowledge (vidya) and wisdom (jnana) and consciously mimic Vishnu’s personified weapons, the purusas. The Sarada Mahatmya speaks of offering meat to Sarada, a reminder of her Durga-like origins, alongside her role as the embodiment of knowledge texts.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 9th century

Medium

Chlorite schist

Culture

India (Jammu and Kashmir, ancient kingdom of Kashmir)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Lewis, 1984