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Goddess Durga
The Goddess Durga is a highly revered form of
divinity in the feminine aspect. She is
extremely popular in India and Nepal, as well as
anywhere else that Hinduism is practiced. It
must also be pointed out that where Tantric
Shakti worship is concerned, Durga is extremely
important. She is one of the principal faces of
Shakti the divine feminine energy, which is the
animating force behind manifest reality.
Shakti is present in the microcosmic reality of
our own bodies as the Kundalini energy, coiled
at the base of the spine. In fully enlightened
individuals this shakti uncoils like a serpent
and reaches the crown center (Sahasrara Chakra),
which is the seat of Shiva, as it is conceived
of in esoteric Hinduism. This is the proverbial
union of Shiva and Shakti - the metaphor for a
completed or whole being, an enlightened
person.
A number of the Hindu scriptures in the category
known as "Puranas", relate the deeds of Durga.
The stories are rich with symbolism and
metaphor, which simultaneously operate on a
number of different levels of meaning. Many of
these accounts of the Goddess revolve around the
chain of events the lead up to her rescuing the
cosmos from being overrun and destroyed by the
class of beings known as "Asuras". You see, the
Gods and Asuras (sometimes translated as Demons)
wage constant war with each other, and it often
happens that due to the aptitude for complacency
that is a characteristic of the Gods, the Asuras
gain the upper hand. When all seems lost the
Gods beseech the compassionate Goddess, who
springs into action, utterly routing the armies
of the Asuras (who are the embodiments of our
deluded, ego based tendencies that prevent us
from realizing our own divine nature). Of course
the Asuras don't stand a chance, because the
Devi (Goddess) is indomitable and unyielding.
Even the highest Gods are often ineffective
against the assaults of the demons... in the end
the entire universe's only recourse is the
Goddess, Durga.
This statue shows the Goddess Durga in a 10
armed form trampling the demon, Mahishasura.
This is one of the most popular iconographic
depictions of the Goddess. A nicely cast
contemporary piece from India, this one has a
lovely patina and it's very reasonable reserve
constitutes a great value.
This statue is
7-5/8" tall x 6-1/8" wide x 2" thick
The weight is 1,680 grams or 3 Lbs. 9 ounces
Buddhist Statue Gallery
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