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some versions of the story, her complexion is
believed to have darkened as she imbibed his
blood. Raktabija was finally vanquished only
when Kali drank all his blood.
The story of Kali defeating Raktabija finds
mention in the 5
th
–6
th
century Sanskrit text,
Devi Mahatmaya,
which is centred on Devi
as the supreme deity. The folio is a literal
illustration based on this text. “If the ruler was
piously inclined, he would commission copies
of standard religious texts—the Vishnu and
Shiva... the Maha Lakshmi and Markandeya
Purana (celebrations of the Devi).” (W G
Archer,
Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills,
Volume I
, New Delhi: Oxford University Press,
1973, p. xx) All the action is contained within
the foreground of the painting, with a bare
landscape stretching to the horizon, which
alludes to the immensity of the scale of the
battle.
A related example, part of a larger set, is
illustrated in W G Archer,
Indian Paintings
from the Punjab Hills, Volume II,
New Delhi:
Oxford University Press, 1973, p. 117, fig. 61 (ii).
Also refer to Bonhams, London, 5 November
2014, lot 397.
Raktabija, literally meaning blood‒seed, was an
asura
, or demon, who was
nearly invincible. Through intense penance, he invoked Brahma to grant
him a boon: that multiple forms of himself would spring from his blood
the moment it hit the ground. He unleashed terror on
rishis
and anyone
who opposed him. The
devas
approached the Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva—to put an end to the growing threat he posed to the order of
the world. They invoked Durga, who set out with an army to vanquish the
demon. On hearing about the approaching army, Raktabija gathered his own
army of demons and a fierce battle ensued. The lesser demons were easily
killed, but Raktabija remained undefeated.
The present lot shows goddesses Durga and Kali, in addition to several of
their manifestation as forms of Shakti, identifiable by the mounts they ride
on. Their army launches a fierce attack on Raktabija. Each drop of his blood
which hits the ground, gives rise to miniature versions of himself and an army
of
asuras
springs forth from the ground. In the tale, eventually, Kali emerged
from Durga, enraged and determined to put an end to this. She used a piece
of an earthen pitcher, or
khappar
, to collect and drink Raktabija’s blood. In
38
FOLIO FROM THE DEVI
MAHATMAYA
GULER, CIRCA 1820
Gouache on paper heightened with gold
Image: 7.5 x 11.25 in (19.5 x 28.6 cm)
Folio: 10.25 x 14 in (26.1 x 35.6 cm)
Rs 10,00,000 ‒ 15,00,000
$ 14,930 - 22,390
NON‒EXPORTABLE
REGISTERED ANTIQUITY
PROVENANCE
Property from a Distinguished Family
Collection