Arkivism
The Goddess Annihilates the Demon Raktabija, from a Devi-Mahatmya
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The Goddess Annihilates the Demon Raktabija, from a Devi-Mahatmya

c. 1640 · gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The demon Raktabija had received a boon that from each drop of his blood that falls on the ground, a new demon would arise. When the Goddess wounded Raktabija in combat, and drops of his blood fell on the ground and generated new Raktabijas, she extended her tongue to catch every drop before it hit the ground. Here she is shown lapping up Raktabija himself.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineThe Goddess Annihilates the Demon Raktabija, from a Devi-Mahatmya, c. 1640. Central India, Madhya Pradesh, Malwa. Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; page: 16.2 x 25.7 cm (6 3/8 x 10 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund, 2018.128
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