Parnashavari

Parnashavari (IAST: Parṇaśabarī, Tibetan: Lomagyuma Sanskrit: पर्णशबरी), also spelt as Paranasavari (Paranasabari),^[1]^[2] is a Hindu deity adopted as Buddhist deity of diseases, worship of which is believed to offer effective protection against out-breaks of epidemics.^[3]

Parnasabari is also depicted in some images of the Pala period found in Dhaka, as a main goddess and escorted by Hindu deities Jvarasura and Shitala.^[4] Both of these escorts are disease related Hindu deities.^[4] In India, the Kurkihar hoard contains seven bronze images of Parnasabari belonging to 10th–12th century AD.^[5]

In Buddhism, Parnasabari is depicted as an attendant of the Mother Goddess Tara.^[1] Some say that the term Parnasabari is an attempt to connect the deity with Vindya region, as Sabaras held a stronghold over the region.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Reflections on the Tantras. S̄udhakar Chattopadhyaya. 1978. p. 76. ISBN 9788120806917.
^ The social function of art by Radhakamal Mukerjee. Philosophical Library. 1954. p. 151. ISBN 9780802211682.
^ Bhattacharyya, Benoytosh (1958). The Indian Buddhist Iconography art. p. 520. ISBN 9788173053139.
^ ^a ^b Studies in Hindu and Buddhist art. By P. K. Mishra. 1999. p. 107. ISBN 9788170173687.
^ History of the tantric religion: a historical, ritualistic, and philosophical study. Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya. 1982. p. 394. ISBN 9788173040252.

[a-1] Reflections on the Tantras. S̄udhakar Chattopadhyaya. 1978. p. 76. ISBN 9788120806917.

[c-2] The social function of art by Radhakamal Mukerjee. Philosophical Library. 1954. p. 151. ISBN 9780802211682.

[3] Bhattacharyya, Benoytosh (1958). The Indian Buddhist Iconography art. p. 520. ISBN 9788173053139.

[b-4] Studies in Hindu and Buddhist art. By P. K. Mishra. 1999. p. 107. ISBN 9788170173687.

[z-5] History of the tantric religion: a historical, ritualistic, and philosophical study. Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya. 1982. p. 394. ISBN 9788173040252.

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