The Earth Mother

amulets ancient animal appears archaic arms Atharva Veda became Bengal body born breasts buffalo carried cast century circle clay cloth colour communities continues created culture dance dark deity demon Devatas diagram divinity drawing drawn earth Earth Mother emerged energy established expression eyes face female fertility festival figure flowers forest four girl goddess gods hair hands head holding human icons India Indus Kama known Krsna leaves legend lines living lotus magic Maharashtra male mandala manifest metal Mithila moon Mother movement mysterious myth nature night offered original ornaments paintings performed placed plants pointed Pradesh protection Purana rides rites ritual river rural sacred Savaras seal serpent shape shrine Siva societies songs space spells stands stone story surrounded symbol temple tiger tradition transformation tree triangle tribal Valley vast village virgin visual Vrata walls waters woman women worship yantra