~ madhubani painting: Goddess Durga (3) ~
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In the best-known story of Durga's origin, a demon named Mahisha had become so powerful that the gods were unable to defeat him. Together they emitted their wrathful energies which congealed into the form of a splendidly powerful woman. Each of them equipped her with a weapon, including a lion as her vehicle. She readily accomplished what none of the gods could achieve: she slayed the demon who had hidden himself in the form of a buffalo. Here, he reappears out of the buffalo as he is being vanquished by Durga and her lion.
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