• Devīmāhātmya (The glory of the goddess)
  देवीमाहात्म्य

Uniform title:

• Puranas. Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa. Devīmāhātmya

Contributor:

• Princeton University. Library. Manuscript. Garrett Indic Manuscript no 2.

Publisher:

• [Rajasthan?], [late 19th-early 20th century]

Extent:

• 1 roll : illustrations

Format:

• Manuscript
• Book

Abstract:

• Miniature illustrated devotional scroll of the Devīmāhātmya, a part of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, describes the exploits of the Goddess as the supreme power and creator of the universe.

Description:

• Ms. roll.
• Layout: Text in two columns of circles, each 3.2 cm. in diameter. About 18-20 lines per circle.
• Decoration: 32 colored miniatures in circles.

Binding note:

• Unbound.

Subject:

• Manuscripts, Sanskrit—New Jersey—Princeton
• illuminated manuscripts
• illuminations (paintings)
• headpieces (layout features)

Edm rights:

• Copyright Not Evaluated

View in catalog:

• https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/99131475933606421

Curator's notes:

• Sanskrit
  Rajasthan?, late 19th, early 20th century

  This miniature illustrated devotional scroll of the Devīmāhātmya, a part of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, describes the exploits of the Goddess as the supreme power and creator of the universe. In the text, the Goddess manifesting herself as the Goddess Durga leads the forces of good against the buffalo demon Mahiṣāsura. Some scholars have posited an especially close relationship of embellished texts with followers of the Goddess in South Asia.

  Gift of Robert Garrett, Class of 1897, 1942
  Garrett Indic Manuscripts GIM 2

  For further reading

  Kim, Jinah. “A book and the goddess: the Devimahatmya from palm leaf to paper.” In Old stacks, new leaves: the arts of the book in South Asia, edited by Sonal Khullar, 33-56. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2023.

Exhibit category:

• Commonalities
• Commonalities: Scrolls
• Scroll