Standing Durga

ca. 970

The goddess Durga is one of Hinduism’s most formidable warriors. She has no husband, but in some traditions, particularly in southern regions of India, she is said to be Vishnu’s sister. This bronze image of the goddess emphasizes her relationship to Vishnu by showing her holding only the chakra and conch (instead of the many and varied weapons she usually carries) and posing her in the same upright stance seen in most representations of Vishnu.