 
According to myth, Durga was created when the Hindu Gods were faced with a terrible and powerful opponent, the demon Mahisa, whom They could not defeat, as he could only be vanquished by a woman. From the brilliant anger of the Gods then Durga was made, and outfitted with weapons from each God. She is usually depicted with eight or ten (or more) arms, one to hold each weapon (though I've seen Her with eleven, because even though 'bow and arrow' is counted as one weapon it actually takes two hands to wield!). She is traditionally dressed in fiery red, and I've shown Her here decked in the gold-pearl-emerald-and-ruby design scheme very typical of Indian jewelry. She represents action and energy. Ink and watercolor, done for a commission. This design is available on prints through ArtPal and greeting cards through Zazzle. |