Here’s the thing of it. You’re hungry. Out there on the plains
stands a lone buffalo. You have your blade. You stroll up to the
buffalo as it waits and watches calmly. It shows no fear. Does it
not understand its fate[xxxxx] You approach… raise your sword …
and lop off its head. Dinner–you assume–will soon be on the table.
However… instead of buffalo meat gracing your table this
evening… a ferocious demon emerges from the decapitated
creature… and you are now history.
Alas and alack… what is a family to do[xxxxx] Send out your
brother to try again[xxxxx] Perhaps. But how many times can your
people face ferocious demons–seemingly unconquerable demons who in
fact threaten world security --in their quest for buffalo meat.
There is only one answer. Supplicate the gods.
And the gods hear… and they listen… and they answer your
prayers. They create another goddess and they name her Durga. She is
to be their champion. She is endowed with sixteen arms. She is the
Demon-Buffalo Slayer. She is presented–by the gods that created
her-- with a weapon for each of her sixteen hands. So armed… she
will be well equipped to slay the demon which resides inside the
buffalo.
Oh the joy of it all. Your heart sings as it praises the gods that
created the goddess. You are thankful that there are gods out there
to create new gods as needed… for as is commonly known … man is
not capable of creating a god. Correctamundo[xxxxx]
After the demon is slain… it is time to create a commemorative to
withstand the sands of time… to honor Durga… to show all the
wondrousness of her deeds… and the power of this warrior goddess.
And so a sculpture is created… a superb Indian miniature of
astonishing subtlety… a sculpture of extraordinary power… as
befits a tribute to a goddess created by a god. It is 5 3/8 inches
high and was made in the 12th century.
It is a sight to behold… it’s detail boggles the mind. Durga
Mahishasuramardini–our goddess’s full name–stands strong… one
foot resting upon a decapitated buffalo… one of her hands grasping
the demon by the hair as she readies herself to do him in. Go take a
look. It ain’t jewelry… but it is a thing to behold … a
magnificent sculpture made of Argilite.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits… may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the left side menu till you get to the area that says
Tidbits Graphics… and then click on the link that says: Durga …
in order to view a goddess in action.
And there ya have it.
That’s it for this week folks.
Catch you all next week.
Benjamin Mark