Srimad Devibhagavata Mahapurana, the seminal text dedicated to the great mother goddess Durga, describes the endearing conversations between Ambika (Durga) and Mahakali on the battlefield. During these ethereal exchanges, Maa Ambika addressed goddess Kali as “Samarapriye”- she who enjoys (Priya) war (Samara). In the Hindu-Tantra tradition, Devi Kali is evoked as a potent warring female energy, who with an otherworldly swiftness jumps in the Yuddha-bhumi (battleground), enchanting the gods as their saviouress and making the hearts of the demonic forces tremble with her unquenchable thirst for the lives of those who harm her devotees.
Epitomized in her ten-armed form as Mahakali, this hypnotic Panchaloha goddess Kali icon is the result of the artist’s devotion that has managed to hold the unstoppable mother in her iconic posture. The most striking part of this Panchaloha composition has to be Devi Mahakali’s countenance, which perfectly draws from her textual descriptions- gaping eyes, lolling tongue, and an expression that makes the Daanava (demons) abandon the battle.
Beautifying her visage is a regal gold Kiritamukuta (conical crown) with the crescent moon as its embellishment, Dehri (disc-shaped earrings), and a Bindi (auspicious dot) between her extensively arched brows. Numerous ornaments of gold adorn the mystical beauty of the goddess in this bronze Mahakali statute, being complemented by the Naramunda-mala (garland or mala made from the skulls or Munda of Nara or men) and an elaborate girdle fashioned out of the severed heads and arms of Devi’s enemies. Sculpted in a rounded manner, this Panchaloha Devi Mahakali murti displays excellent attention to detail on the reverse as well, where the flowing tresses of Mahakali make eye-catching waves and are ornamented by an ornate Sirachakra (circular hair ornament).
In her ten arms, the goddess holds various divine weapons such as her Trishula (trident), khadaga (sickle), khappara (skull cup), and so on, using which she eradicates demonic armies extending several thousand miles, the instant she appears in the battle. Under her feet positioned in a dynamic posture, lies the Mahadeva Shiva with his damru (drum) in his right hand.
The platform on which this Panchaloha Mahakali statue is placed is decorated with lovely floral patterns as well as a Shankha (conch) and Chakra (discus) on the left and right respectively. Since the Shankha and Chakra are Vaishnava insignia, this bronze icon of Mahakali can also be associated with the episode of Mahakali’s emergence from the body of Sri Vishnu, when the great protector of the Universe was in his yogic slumber and the Srishti stood at risk of being devasted by the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
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