Bihar: Marici

INDIA, Bihar

Marici is a highly revered deity in Vajrayana Buddhism. She is portrayed with three heads and eight arms, in a firm stance. In theory, Marici has four heads but the one at the rear is not visible. Each head expresses a different emotion: the one at the front is benevolent; on the right, the head is wrathful and in the form of a boar; the third head represents serenity. All eight arms are extended, with an object held in each hand. The two front arms are broken, while the ones on her right hold a sword, vajra and arrow, and those on her left hold a bow, asoka flower, and noose. Three female figures are located beneath her legs, all with boar-like features. The pedestal, believed decorated with seven boars, is missing.