The Emergence of Kaushiki, Preparatory Drawing for a Devi Mahatmya (Glory of the Goddess) Series

The drawing features the Hindu goddess Kaushiki, standing on a rock at the bank of a river. Kaushiki is a manifestation of the goddess Parvati. She is noted for her extreme beauty as well as her ferocity at battle. In the text, the Devi Mahatmya (Glory of the Goddess), she is described as having slain demon armies that captured the heavens from the gods and forced them out of their divine realm to earth. Here, Kaushiki is accompanied by a female attendant. Beyond a small hill, on the left, stand a group of crowned figures, who most likely represent celestial figures that live in the heavens and were forced to earth. Pahari Style, Kangra School.