In this study, I will examine the iconography of Mahisâsuramardinî, the slayer of the buffalo demon. The imagery emerges from a narrative tradition in which the goddess wages war with the demon. I will evaluate representations of Mahisâsuramardinî throughout its history within the contexts produced. The interpretations of divinity and its relationship with humanity within the periods of production will illuminate the theological understanding of the deity within its era. The iconography will be explored in three distict contexts. The first context will be from within the religious tradition with which it is most commonly associated – Brahminical Hinduism. I will show how the image emerged from a mundane representation and was elaborated to fit the mold of the celestial Brahminical pantheon. Next, I will evaluate depictions of the goddess in traditions with which the deity is not typically associated. I will discuss the iconography of the Jain yaksî Jvâlâmâlinî to display the appropriation of Mahisâsuramardinî, a martial deity in to a religion that emphasizes non-violence. I will also discuss the appropriation of the image into Javanese ancestor traditions and other traditions. Lastly, the imagery will be discussed in the modern context as the depictions become categorized as 'art.' I will show the modern categorization to alter the perception and usage of the image. I will demonstrate how the image ceases to have the same ritual life as in antiquity but becomes a symbol of cultural identity / A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Religion in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master’S of Arts. / Spring Semester, 2008. / April 8, 2008. / Divinity, Goddess, Durga, Iconography, Hinduism, Art, Religion, India, South Asia, Identity / Includes bibliographical references. / Kathleen M. Erndl, Professor Directing Thesis; Bryan J. Cuevas, Committee Member; Adam Gaiser, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_176211 |
| Contributors | Simmons, Caleb (authoraut), Erndl, Kathleen M. (professor directing thesis), Cuevas, Bryan J. (committee member), Gaiser, Adam (committee member), Department of Religion (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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