Welcome back to ILF Radio! In today’s episode, we’re set to explore the iconographic development of Durga as Mahishasuramardini.

The earliest depictions of Durga as Mahishasuramardini can be found in the 1st century BCE, with a lion beneath her feet, armed with weapons, killing a bull. This form is found throughout the subcontinent, depicted on temples, caves, seals and coins, and widely supplemented by texts like Devi Mahatmyam, which describes the killing of an asura named Mahisha in great detail, and widely found in folklore as well. Around the 6th century CE, the form develops further as Mahishasura transforms from a bull, as depicted earlier, to a half-man, half-bull; this is observed in the temples constructed by early Chalukyas, such as Aihole, and further, in the Mahishasuramardini cave at Mahabalipuram made by the Pallavas. The adaptation of this form in worship also varies through various regions. While she is a daughter returning to her father's house in Bengal, the same Goddess is just form, Katyayani, among the nine forms of the Goddess in North India.

Deepa Chakravarthy takes us through the iconographic changes, and helps us connect with the true essence of the tale as she uncovers the meaning behind the intangible force of Shakti.

Links to key heritage sites from today’s episode:

- Kotravai: the Tamil goddess of victory

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kottravai_at_peruvudayar_temple,_Thanjavur.jpg

- Elements of Hindu Iconography by Gopinatha Rao

https://archive.org/details/cu31924071128825

- Badami Cave 1 Durga

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:6th_century_Durga_spearing_buffalo_demon_Mahishasura_(cave_1),_Badami_Hindu_cave_temple_Karnataka.jpg

- Durga at Aihole

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Durga_Temple_Aihole_ADSC_1481.jpg

- Durga slaying Mahishasura at Mahabalipuram Rock-cut cave

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Durga_Slaying_Mahishasur_sculpture_at_Mamallapur_1913.jpg

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Intro/Outro music credit: Dhaka by Kevin McLeod