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Dandan Oilik Monastery: Mahadevi
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Dandan Oilik Monastery: Mahadevi
CHINA, Xinjiang, Hotan; circa 4th-8th century
This image of Mahadevi standing beside the partially visible Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, is painted on a deteriorating wall in the ruins of Dandan Oilik Monastery. It is based on a legend described in the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions and the Prophecy of Gosrnga. A king, growing old and without an heir, prayed to Vaisravana for help. In answer to the king's prayer, a baby came forth from the forehead of an image of Vaisravana. The king returned to the palace with the infant. However, no milk to feed the child could be found, so the king again prayed for divine aid. Both Vaisravana and Mahadevi intervened, and a breast producing milk arose from the earth. In honor of the miracles, the king claimed to be a descendant of Vaisravana and named his kingdom Kustana |
