Rajput Painting, Being an Account of the Hindu Paintings of Rajasthan and the Panjab Himalayas from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century v2.c19.363

v2.c19.363

**The manifestation of Śivā.** Śivā or Kauśikī appears as a *tāmasic* emanation of the *rājasic* Durgā, for the destruction of the *asuras* Śumbha and Niśumbha, in response to the prayers of the *devas*. Durgā is seated centrally, eight-handed, bearing the attributes arrow, pestle, spear, discus, bow, plough, bell, and conch, and two fires are burning below: Kauśikī stands to her proper right above the suppliant *devas*, while to her left are Cuṇḍa and Muṇḍa, the servants of Śumbha and Niśumbha. The figures loom against a background of white Himālayas, with deodars and a single palm; foreground of water with rose lotus. Sanskrit inscription. Pahāṛī (early Kāṅgṛā or Maṇḍī), 18th century. Size of original 7¾ × 10¾ in. Collection of the author (vol. iii, f. 32). Vol. i, pp. 8, 58.