The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

The Goddess Annihilates the Demon Raktabija, from a Devi-Mahatmya

The Goddess Annihilates the Demon Raktabija, from a Devi-Mahatmya

c. 1640
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The painting also depicts Hanuman, the monkey god, fighting for the Goddess.

Description

The demon Raktabija had received a boon that from each drop of his blood that falls on the ground, a new demon would arise. When the Goddess wounded Raktabija in combat, and drops of his blood fell on the ground and generated new Raktabijas, she extended her tongue to catch every drop before it hit the ground. Here she is shown lapping up Raktabija himself.
  • {{cite web|title=The Goddess Annihilates the Demon Raktabija, from a Devi-Mahatmya|url=false|author=|year=c. 1640|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.128