The three major male manifestations of the Supreme Being in Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. However, Shaktism—a belief system that emphasizes the worship of the feminine principle in all of its diverse forms—has had an impact on each of the major Hindu traditions. The concept of the indispensability of the female principle, which evolved early in both major religions of Nepal, is understood as shakti, or power, in Hindu thought, and prajna, or insight, in Buddhism. Works of art that focus on the divine feminine have only recently been receiving serious attention from scholars, and, despite their common appearance in art, there are still many unanswered questions. For example, very little is known about the iconography and mythologies that surround Siddhalakshmi, a powerful female goddess with multiple faces and arms holding various objects. As the secret practice of the Malla kings, she played a central role in daily rites and was thought to have preserved their rule for centuries.

Shakti Devi, Female Goddess, Nepal; 18th century, Pigment on cloth, Rubin Museum of Art

A rare iconographic form of the divine feminine shakti, this figure is not easy to identify, as the work appears to be a unique blending of both Vaishnava (worshiping Vishnu) and Shaiva (worshiping Shiva) imagery. However, the central figure, sitting on an over-sized skull cup, wields some of the common attributes of Siddhalakshmi: a sword, wheel, vase, jewels, and trident. Above the central figure, riding on a stylized Garuda, is a green multi-armed Vishnu, along with his consort Lakshmi. Above these two, in the smallest niche at the top of the temple, sit Shiva and Parvati, the supreme couple of the painting. Their elephant-headed son, Ganesha, and possibly his consort, yet another form of shakti, float in the sky above, flanked on both sides by four different depictions of Durga.

Siddhalakshmi, Goddess of Power, Nepal; 1796, Pigment on cloth, Rubin Museum of Art

Siddhalakshmi, a fierce female goddess, was the patron goddess of the Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. A wrathful manifestation of the Hindu goddess Durga, she is typically depicted as standing on the hands of her consort, Shiva. Various forms of Siddhalakshmi are displayed above and below the central figure.

Siddhalakshmi, Goddess of Power, Nepal; 17th century, Gilt copper alloy, Rubin Museum of Art

Guhyakali. The Secret Black One, Nepal; 17th century, Bronze, Gilt, Rubin Museum of Art

Siddhalakshmi, Goddess of Power, Nepal; Inscription date 1694, Pigment on cloth, Rubin Museum of Art

The inscription written at the lower left of this painting reads: “Oh mother goddess, cast compassionate eyes upon my children. This is a respectful request to you from me, Shri Gangadhara Sharma.” Samvat 814 [1694].-Hugo Krieger

Kaumari, Nepal, 7th c., Gilt copper repousse

One of the eight “Mother Goddesses” very popular among the Newars, both Hindu and Buddhist. Kaumari is the female energy of Kumara, sone of Siva and Parvati.

Durga. Fearsome Goddess, Nepal; 13th century, Gilt copper alloy, Rubin Museum of Art

Depicting Durga in her most famous narrative—slaying the buffalo demon, Mahisha—this multi-limbed form of the goddess is a sculptural masterpiece. Flanked by two slain demons, Durga is shown grasping with her lower left hand the head of the demon that emerges from the animal that she has just decapitated. The deity’s dynamism—especially in this fearsome, all-powerful form—is balanced by the delicacy of her features, adornments, and calm expression. Durga’s right leg, raised above the ground and extended in an active lunging pose, is supported by her animal companion (vahana), the lion, who bends to her weight. The style of her large hoop earrings and patterned wrapped skirt (dhoti) is characteristically Newar in design.

"From the Land of the Gods: Art of the Kathmandu Valley". Rubin Museum of Art, New York. March 14 – November 10, 2008