Paranasabari

Parṇaśabarī /Paranasabari"Parnashavari" [1][2][3] / Paranasavari[1][4] (Hindi: पार्णशबरी) is a Buddhist and Hindu deity of diseases.

Statues of Paranasabari have been found in Pala period excavations in Dacca. Also in India, the Kurkihar hoard contains seven bronze images of Paranasabari belonging to 10th- 12th century AD.[2]

Some researchers believe Paranasabari is another name for Hindu Goddess Devi Tara.[1][4] Tara is the only female goddess worshiped not only in India but also Mongolia and the Russian Empire.[1] In Buddhist religion, Paranasabari is depicted as an attendant of the Buddhist deity of same name, Tara.[1] Some say that the term Paranasabari is an attempt to connect the deity with Vindya region, as Sabaras held a stronghold over the region.[1]

Paranasabari is also depicted in some images of the Pala period found in Dacca, as a main goddess and escorted by Hindu deities Jvarasura and Shitala.[3] Both of these escorts are again disease related Hindu deities. In some images these deities are shown as flying away to escape from wrath of Vajrayogini, the Buddhist Goddess and destroyer of diseases.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Reflections on the Tantras. S̄udhakar Chattopadhyaya. p. 76.
  2. 1 2 History of the tantric religion: a historical, ritualistic, and philosophical study. Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya. 1982. p. 394.
  3. 1 2 3 Studies in Hindu and Buddhist art. By P. K. Mishra. 1999. p. 107.
  4. 1 2 The social function of art by Radhakamal Mukerjee. Philosophical Library. 1954. p. 151.
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