Durga, Slayer of the Buffalo Titan

The Art Institute of Chicago has on display a "Durga, Slayer of the Buffalo Titan" statue. This statue was added to the Art Institutes' collection in 1996 and labeled as a gift from an anonymous donor. This statue of Durga is a piece of ancient art which I feel represents the power and imagery of the "goddess."

The statue is made of grey sandstone and is not all that large measuring in at around 61 centimeters tall. It is estimated that the statue of Durga is from the late 10th century which is also known by the Art Institute as the Koh Ker period. The statue is the color of worn concrete and has small chips in the sandstone. The image of Durga has a miraculous eight arms and an elaborate head dress. The statue itself is mounted on a piece of black marble which was likely done by the Art Institute. As for the statue itself, it is not in the best of conditions but is a piece of ancient Hindu art and culture. On the statue Durga is wearing a long robe, multiple bracelets, large earrings, and has her fists still clamped as if she just finished a battle. The image of the goddess on the statue shows the figure of a woman with very large breasts, much like many pieces of ancient Hindu art do.

It is noticeable that in this statue of the goddess Durga has six of her arms raised in the air with fists, but her other two arms are holding out a plate as in an offering or such. The "Durga, Slayer of the Buffalo Titan" statue is a symmetrical sculpture in which Durga's face shows little facial expression or emotion. The statue contains mostly

curved smooth lines, but the sandstone outline has sharp edges. Durga is presented in a very elegant way, unlike many statues of her as a war goddess.

This "Durga, Slayer of the Buffalo Titan" statue has many puzzling qualities and brings to mind many questions. Bringing to light questions about Hindu culture and religion. Like who owned and used the statue of Durga? Well, this question cannot be answered for sure but it is speculated that it was used by ancient Hindu cultures to promote fertility and power. This statue may have been discovered in Southeast Asia but its roots lie in India and surrounding countries which believed in Hinduism.

Was the "Durga, Slayer of the Buffalo Titan" statue used in religious ceremony? This is a question I most ponder. It makes people wonder if a mythological woman made from the powers of a village to slay a buffalo demon could have any purpose in a religious ceremony. I believe that statues and dolls of Durga much like this may have possibly been used during religious ceremony. If not used for people's wishes of power and fertility, than what would they be used for in religious ceremony?

The figure in the statue represents both taking and giving. Durga has her hands in the air triumphant from battle, but also has arms reaching out with a plate in an offering. What do these gestures mean and why would Durga have such a split personality?

Does the "Durga, Slayer of the Buffalo Titan" statue's gestures have meaning? Is the goddess just using her multiple arms and sexuality to impose fear or is she trying to

tell the Hindu people something about culture and women? It is interesting to interpret what message the goddess might be trying to portray. Is she trying to scare a person into worshipping the goddess or showing that people are constantly being blessed by them?

I believe that this object was created for the sole purpose of remembering the importance of the goddess Durga and her stories. Because this statue of Durga does not have her riding a fiery lion or holding any swords it can be assumed that she was not being portrayed as a war goddess in this particular statue. Even though this statue varies from those of Durga as a war goddess, it can still be seen that this statue would be used to pray for fertility because of Durga's shapely figure.

Questions about Durga's following can be answered in Hindu text books about religion.