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Here's the thing of it. You're hungry. Out there on the plains stands a lone buffalo. You have your blade. You stroll up to the buffalo as it waits and watches calmly. It shows no fear. Does it not understand its fate? You approach ... raise your sword ... and lop off its head. Dinner--you assume--will soon be on the table. However ... instead of buffalo meat gracing your table this evening ... a ferocious demon emerges from the decapitated creature ... and you are now history.
Alas and alack ... what is a family to do? Send out your brother to try again? Perhaps. But how many times can your people face ferocious demons--seemingly unconquerable demons who in fact threaten world security --in their quest for buffalo meat. There is only one answer. Supplicate the gods.
And the gods hear ... and they listen ... and they answer your prayers. They create another goddess and they name her Durga. She is to be their champion. She is endowed with sixteen arms. She is the Demon-Buffalo Slayer. She is presented--by the gods that created her--with a weapon for each of her sixteen hands. So armed ... she will be well equipped to slay the demon which resides inside the buffalo.
Oh the joy of it all. Your heart sings as it praises the gods that created the goddess. You are thankful that there are gods out there to create new gods as needed ... for as is commonly known ... man is not capable of creating a god. Correctamundo?
After the demon is slain ... it is time to create a commemorative to withstand the sands of time ... to honor Durga ... to show all the wondrousness of her deeds ... and the power of this warrior goddess.
And so a sculpture is created ... a superb Indian miniature of astonishing subtlety ... a sculpture of extraordinary power ... as befits a tribute to a goddess created by a god. It is 5 3/8 inches high and was made in the 12th century.
It is a sight to behold ... it's detail boggles the mind. Durga Mahishasuramardini--our goddess's full name--stands strong ... one foot resting upon a decapitated buffalo ... one of her hands grasping the demon by the hair as she readies herself to do him in. Go take a look. It ain't jewelry ... but it is a thing to behold ... a magnificent sculpture made of Argilite.
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And there ya have it. That's it for this week folks. Catch you all next week. Benjamin Mark
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