by Granny Janny
Member since:
February 16, 2006

What Goddess Is This?

January 26, 2011 01:26 AM UTC
views: 0 | 16 people recommend this | comments: 31

She has hypnotized me.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d976/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Her music moves me

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d975/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Her arms enfold my soul

I love her hair

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d985/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

I found her at the thrift store for $3.50.  I was going to give her to my friend, Kristin, who has the largest collection of dolls I've ever seen.  But this Devi goddess put a spell on me and would not let me give her away.  With a minimum of research I'm thinking she's a Durga, or Kali, or Shakti doll.  Those are names of the consorts of Shiva, the supreme God of the Hindu religion.

Can you tell me anything more about her?  I respectfully request any corrections or knowledge you can offer after seeing these pictures.

It looks like she's playing a sitar.  But I'm not sure.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d975/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg


http://media-files.gather.com/images/d978/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d984/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Is she riding Mother Goose?

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d987/d787/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Comments: 31

Karen E. Jan 26, 2011, 1:33am UTC
What a wonderful work of art. I think Natalie might know.
Jennifer Lee Jan 26, 2011, 2:06am UTC
It is an amazing find! I think Bhwana will know.
JOHN BECK Jan 26, 2011, 2:41am UTC
I don't know, but I suspect that you have a hand made doll which is quite unique.
Bernard C. Jan 26, 2011, 4:51am UTC
Neat looking item and find - good luck with finding more on its origins - thanks for sharing :-)

Thanks for submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Stirling D. Jan 26, 2011, 7:59am UTC
Sarasvati! She is beautiful. Sarasvati is the goddess who kids in India pray to before their exams (at least they do where I was visiting). She is the namesake for my dharma name. There are beautiful, long prayers to her, the goddess of arts and music.
Kathryn Flynn Jan 26, 2011, 1:24pm UTC
wonderful remark, Stirling~
Stirling D. Jan 26, 2011, 1:28pm UTC
Well, I'm sure Bhavana or Kushal or Aman can supply the whole deal. I actually have a thangka of her at home (Tibetan style, where she is called Yangchen Lhamo).
Granny Janny Jan 26, 2011, 9:34pm UTC
I'd love to see it, Stirling. Thanks for the information.
Stirling D. Jan 26, 2011, 10:11pm UTC
I shall send you a photo after I take it. I love your doll. She is charming.
Stirling D. Jan 29, 2011, 3:08pm UTC
Okay, I posted it.

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.action?fileId=3096224746794379
Shira C. Jan 26, 2011, 8:48am UTC
Darn! I was hoping she was Durga! Great doll and fun photos, featured at the Circus.
Granny Janny Jan 26, 2011, 9:34pm UTC
Thanks for the feature, Shira!
Alison H. Jan 26, 2011, 10:04am UTC
Wonderful find!
Richard Thuss Jan 26, 2011, 11:00am UTC
The more I looked the more I understood how she got you to keep her.
Diane Huizenga Jan 26, 2011, 11:14am UTC
She is lovely and yes I love her hair.
Janet "Jax" B. Jan 26, 2011, 12:48pm UTC
What a neat find, but I'm not sure about who she is.
Natalie Neal Whitefield Jan 26, 2011, 3:13pm UTC
What a great find! May she bring you all great good fortune, wisdom and happiness!

As mentioned above, Bhawana or one of our other dear Indian friends could expound more upon the meaning of this beautiful symbol. I do believe that Stirling has identified her correctly as Sarasvati, the feminine force of nature, which often is translated as the word "goddess" - She represents music, science, the arts, and a state of heightened awareness, or "enlightenment" as exemplified by knowledge of the totality contained in Vedic literature. She is shown playing a stringed instrument called a "vina" and is shown either seated upon or accompanied by a "hamsa", a beautiful white swan.
Granny Janny Jan 26, 2011, 9:35pm UTC
Wow. Thanks for all that. You seem to have hit on the information I needed!
Looks like Buzzy is not around today.
aniko    Jan 26, 2011, 10:10pm UTC
 
Granny Janny Jan 27, 2011, 1:52am UTC
How did you find this? OMG that is the one!!!!!
aniko    Jan 27, 2011, 2:02am UTC
I just Googled and picked an image that I liked--there are many on the net. :)
Granny Janny Jan 27, 2011, 10:18pm UTC
I like it too, Aniko. And your new icon!
Natalie Neal Whitefield Jan 27, 2011, 11:38am UTC
She is such a gracious symbol of learning and the arts.
Mariana T. Jan 27, 2011, 12:41pm UTC
She is a Goddess who loves to be gifted - therefore, I will send you my mailing address as I've already dusted off a place on my piano for her to sit...thanks Sistah, this was lovely and put a smile on my face - naturally, I think of myself and all of us Sistahs as Goddesses - naturally, she came to you because you are an artistic soul and she carries good energy - so you didn't just find her for a $3.50 pricetag - she showed up where you were and you were meant to share her good energy in whatever way you could - this post is delightful - thanks Sistah. Salud
elizabeth evans Jan 27, 2011, 3:16pm UTC
My goodness, she looks like you!
Little Emily, my granddaughter, would love one of these.
Priscilla P. Jan 28, 2011, 10:42pm UTC
I don't know her name but I love her too. She is captivating and beautiful!
Erin O'Riordan Jan 28, 2011, 10:44pm UTC
She's beautiful. I would have fallen in love with her, too (even though my Hindu god that I love is Shiva).
Barbary C. Feb 6, 2011, 8:03pm UTC
Jan, if India is shut out of Gather then we can't hear from our Indian friends?

I smiled when I read she must stay with you. Reminds me of those magical tales like geni lamps.
Ms Lee P. Feb 6, 2011, 8:20pm UTC
Interesting doll. I think she is sitting on a turkey. Maybe she's a Thanksgiving doll.

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