Marici

Bihar, 9th century
Indian Museum, Calcutta

By the time this statue was made, Mahayana Buddhism had elaborated an almost endless set of deities - call it Goddess Inflation. Marici is a fierce emanation of Tara, and the initial impression is of a Durga-like goddess with multiple arms and weapons to defend the faith, conquer ignorance, and the like. Her stance, with one leg cocked sideways and the other extended, is also like Durga's.

Marici has four heads, in common with many Mahayana deities. Only three are visible, but another, looking backwards, is implied by the goddess' four pairs of arms. The base of this magnificent Pala sculpture links Marici to Surya as well as to Durga: her charioteer drives seven lions (the lion is Durga's vehicle), corresponding to Surya's seven horses.