Goddess Parnashavari

Parnashavari (IAST: Parṇaśabarī, Sanskrit: पर्णशबरी), also spelt as Paranasavari (Paranasabari),[1][2] is a Hindu deity adopted as Buddhist deity of diseases, worship of which is believed to offer effective protection against out-breaks of epidemics.[3]

Parnasabari is also depicted in some images of the Pala period found in Dhaka, as a main goddess and escorted by Hindu deities Jvarasura and Shitala.[4] Both of these escorts are disease related Hindu deities.[4] In India, the Kurkihar hoard contains seven bronze images of Parnasabari belonging to 10th–12th century AD.[5]

In Buddhism, Parnasabari is depicted as an attendant of the Buddhist deity of same name, Tara.[1] Some say that the term Parnasabari is an attempt to connect the deity with Vindya region, as Sabaras held a stronghold over the region.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Reflections on the Tantras. S̄udhakar Chattopadhyaya. 1978. p. 76. ISBN 9788120806917.
  2. ↑ The social function of art by Radhakamal Mukerjee. Philosophical Library. 1954. p. 151. ISBN 9780802211682.
  3. ↑ Bhattacharyya, Benoytosh (1958). The Indian Buddhist Iconography art. p. 520. ISBN 9788173053139.
  4. 1 2 Studies in Hindu and Buddhist art. By P. K. Mishra. 1999. p. 107. ISBN 9788170173687.
  5. ↑ History of the tantric religion: a historical, ritualistic, and philosophical study. Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya. 1982. p. 394. ISBN 9788173040252.
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