Dating from circa 550 CE, the Devimahatmya (Glory of the Goddess) is a devotional text of 700 Sanskrit verses that extol the Goddess (Devi) as the supreme power and creator of the universe. These folios may illustrate episodes from Chapter 2, “The Slaughter of the Armies of Mahishasura.” Therein, the Goddess defeats numerous demons in battle, including Chikshura, Chamara, Udagra, Mahahanu, Asiloman, Baskala, Privarita, Bidala, and “other great Asuras [demons], thousands in number, surrounded with chariots, elephants and horses.” (2:41-46).
Recto: This folio [#63] loosely corresponds to the text: “Headless trunks fought with the Devi with their finest weapons in their hands.” (2:63). The four-armed Goddess is shown riding a tiger (depicted interchangeably with her customary lion mount). She brandishes a bow-and-arrow, sword, and a trident in her fierce attack on a horseback warrior. Two beheaded soldiers pierced with arrows have fallen to the ground.
Verso: The four-armed Goddess is slaying and dismembering four charioteers while a fifth warrior looks on in amazement. She wields a sword, discus or shield, and a distinctive parrying weapon called a maru or madu (“to kill”) consisting of a small metal or leather circular shield with protruding blackbuck horns tipped with steel spikes or, as depicted here, metal blades.
See their series mates M.81.280.4a and .4b. Additional folios from this dispersed series are in the San Diego Museum of Art (1990.896-.897) and a private collection.