Durga Mahisasuramardini

Overall view from front; standing with the chakra (wheel) and sankha (conch); Durga (also known as Devi and Shakti) was created for the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahisasura by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the lesser gods, who were otherwise powerless to overcome him. In some traditions, particularly in southern regions of India, she is said to be Vishnu’s sister. This bronze image of the goddess emphasizes her relationship to Vishnu by showing her holding only the chakra (wheel) and sankha (conch), (instead of the many and varied weapons she usually carries) and posing her in the same upright stance seen in most representations of Vishnu. With two of her four arms she gives the Abhaya mudra. From Chettipulam, Undivided Thanjavur District. Source: Brooklyn Museum; http://www.brooklynmuseum.org (accessed 5/12/2015