Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahisha (Mahishasuramardini)

According to mythology, the titan ('asura') Mahisha gained such enormous power through the performance of penance that he threatened the stability of the world. The gods, becoming increasingly helpless against him, begged assistance from the goddess Durga and armed her with their combined energies, weapons and powers. Thus empowered, Durga attacked and vanquished the buffalo-headed 'asura'. In this impressive, early representation, Durga attacks Mahisha and with one foot on his neck spears his bovine body with her trident. Durga’s lion mount ('vahana') aids her by attacking Mahisha’s haunches. The goddess, beautiful and serene, maintains an almost detached calm that belies the enormous drama and significance of her triumph. Although the goddess appears as an invincible Amazonian warrior, to her worshippers Durga is a maternal deity, a mother-goddess and protector of her devotees.

The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.22.

The image of Durga killing the Buffalo Demon is probably the single most popular and long-lasting image of the goddess of Indian art. While there are ten manifestations of the great mother goddess Durga, who is the embodiment of the female energy ('shakti'), it is this one of her as the victorious warrior goddess that is the most powerful. This is a very early representation of Durga, as well as being one of the great power and presence. The anonymous sculptor has ingenously interpreted the triumphant moment in a unique manner, with the buffalo trying to kick away the lion attacking his rump. The abstraction of shapes (caused partly by time and loss of Durga's arms) make the image even more potent than many representations of Durga.

Asian Art Dept, AGNSW, August 1999.