Ambika - 02

Oleograph of 'Ambika' by Raja Ravi Varma from the early 1900s. Ambika (mother goddess) is generally an epithet or form of Mahadevi, the supreme goddess of Hinduism. In Shaktism, she is revered as Adi Parashakti, the mother of the universe and all beings. The goddess is portrayed here seated on a resplendent throne under an umbrella. She has four arms which carry a noose (pasha) which symbolizes ignorance, a goad (ankusha) which symbolizes restraint, a bow of sugarcane and a lotus. She is attended upon by minor deities and attendants, two of whom are seated at her feet playing musical instruments.