Lithograph by Shib Gobin Lal
Region / Date
Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India
ca. 1870–1880
Early Bengal lithographic devotional art
Key Features
This rare and powerful lithograph depicts Goddess Bhairavi, one of the Ten Mahavidyas, the supreme manifestations of the Divine Feminine in Hindu Tantra. As the fierce feminine counterpart of Bhairava, Bhairavi embodies both destruction and transcendental wisdom.
Seated upon an ornate throne, Bhairavi is presented not merely as a deity, but as a sovereign force of cosmic authority. Her posture-one leg raised in royal ease-signals supreme power, a stance traditionally reserved for divine rulers.
Her iconography is deeply symbolic:
- The third eye and crescent moon on her forehead link her directly to Shiva, signifying cosmic awareness and timelessness.
- Around her neck hangs a garland of severed heads, representing the dissolution of ego and the transcendence of human identity.
- Her multiple arms suggest divine omnipotence, governing creation, preservation, and destruction.
Despite her fierce attributes, her expression remains composed-revealing the paradox of Bhairavi: terrible yet compassionate, destructive yet liberating.
The setting is equally striking. She is enthroned within a palatial Bengali interior, framed by arches, floral motifs, and draped curtains. These architectural elements reflect 19th-century Calcutta aesthetics, where Indian royal imagery merged with European decorative influences.
An attendant figure stands beside her, reinforcing her regal presence-Bhairavi is not merely worshipped, she is served and revered as a queen of the cosmos.
Rendered in limited yet bold tones of yellow, pink, and black, the lithograph captures the essence of early Bengali printmaking-simple in palette, yet rich in symbolism and emotional depth.
This artwork stands at the intersection of Tantric philosophy, devotional art, and colonial-era visual culture, making it both spiritually profound and historically significant.
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: Sacred spaces, Tantra practitioners, collectors of Mahavidya art, and lovers of Bengal lithographs
Why You’ll Love It
This is not just a devotional image-it is a symbol of शक्ति (Shakti) in its most intense and transformative form, embodying both fear and liberation.
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Bring home the commanding presence of Goddess Bhairavi, a timeless embodiment of शक्ति, शक्ति साधना, and inner transformation.
Available in 18 × 24 inches, with framed and unframed options, exclusively at The Soma Store.
