Lithograph by Sasadhar Banarjee
Region / Date
Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India
ca. 1875–1885
Tantric devotional print tradition
Key Features
This compelling lithograph depicts Bagalamukhi, the eighth of the Ten Mahavidyas-the embodiments of transcendent wisdom in Tantric Hinduism. Known as “the one who silences the mouth”, Bagalamukhi represents the शक्ति that stills speech, halts negativity, and grants mastery over mind and word.
At the center, the goddess is shown in a commanding yet composed stance. With one hand, she grasps the tongue of a subdued figure, symbolizing her power to silence enemies, falsehood, and uncontrolled thought. In the other, she raises a club (gada)-not merely as a weapon, but as an instrument of decisive शक्ति, capable of stopping harmful forces at their root.
Her iconography is deeply Tantric and psychological:
- The act of silencing the tongue represents control over speech and ego.
- The raised weapon signifies the power of stillness over chaos.
- Her calm expression reflects inner mastery rather than outward aggression.
Bagalamukhi is adorned in regal attire, blending martial and royal symbolism. Her chain-mail-like vest suggests protection and readiness, while her jewelry and crown affirm her divine sovereignty.
At her feet rests a lion, reinforcing her connection to the broader Shakti tradition and echoing her kinship with forms of Durga. The subdued figure beneath her control represents not just an external enemy, but the inner turbulence of the mind.
The setting combines natural and architectural elements-a terrace with arches and distant landscape-reflecting the Bengal lithographic style, where Indian spiritual themes were framed within contemporary, often Indo-European visual contexts.
A garland of jasmine flowers adorns the goddess, a subtle yet meaningful detail. In traditional understanding, jasmine is associated with calmness and mental clarity, aligning perfectly with Bagalamukhi’s essence as the देवी of stillness and control.
In Tantric practice, she is closely linked with pranayama (breath control) and meditative disciplines, where silence is not absence-but a gateway to higher awareness.
Museum-Grade Poster Details
Size: 18 × 24 inches
Paper: 350 GSM archival matte paper
Print Quality: High-resolution reproduction preserving original lithographic textures and hand-coloring
Finish: Non-glare museum matte finish
Ideal For: Tantra practitioners, meditation spaces, collectors of Mahavidya art, and sacred interiors
Why You’ll Love It
This artwork embodies a rare and profound concept-the power of silence as strength, making it both visually striking and spiritually transformative.
Order Now
Bring home the commanding presence of Goddess Bagalamukhi, the शक्ति that stills chaos and awakens inner mastery.
Available in 18 × 24 inches, with framed and unframed options, exclusively at The Soma Store.
