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. The verses were interpolations to the earlier Markandeya Purana dating from circa 250 CE and then extracted as a stand-alone text. The Devimahatmya describes the Goddess in her various aspects triumphing over the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, Mahishasura, Dhumralochana, Chanda and Munda, Raktabija, and Shumbha and Nishumbha.
This folio illustrates the climax of Chapter 9, “The Slaying of Nishumbha.” The Hindi inscription in the upper border states, “Devi has killed Nishumbha.” The multi-armed Goddess wears golden armor and rides a hybrid leonine beast with tiger markings. Known as a liger or tigon depending on the gender and species of the parents, lions with tiger stripes have been bred in captivity since at least the early 19th nineteenth century and were a popular motif in 19th-century northern Indian paintings. The Goddess is joined in battle by three generic gods. Nishumbha, who is likely the fallen demon laying on his back, is accompanied by two other demonic titans who have also been defeated.
Additional folios from this dispersed series were offered at auction in Christie’s, London, 12 June 2018, lot 79; Bonhams, New York, 14 September 2015, lot 117; Christie's, South Kensington, 1 October 2012, lot 253; and Sotheby's, New York, 17 June 1993, lot 403.
