Conference at 6 PM in the auditorium of Cernuschi Museum.

Glory to the Goddess – Around a Nepalese manuscript of the Devimahatmya in the Guimet Museum collections by Thierry Zéphir, Ingénieur d’études au Musée National des Arts Asiatiques-Guimet.

Developed in India during the Gupta period (4th-6th century), the Devimahatmya is one of the most important texts of the Hindu religious currents known as shakta. For followers of these spiritual paths, the source of everything in the universe is of feminine essence and designated by the simple name of Devi, “the Goddess”.

In a myriad of forms, often warlike and fighting, Devi manifests her supreme and immeasurable power by defeating the forces of evil. In an epic and lyrical style, the Sanskrit text narrates the exploits of the one who is “as resplendent and as beautiful as the sun”.

In the light of an 18th century Nepalese illuminated manuscript kept in the collections of the Musée Guimet, we propose to return to the genesis and development of the Devimatmya, both in India and in Nepal, where this text is among those which have been most often copied and illustrated.