Two minatures depicting the healing goddesses Mahamayun painted in yellow above and Sitavati in green below from a manuscripts copy of the Buddhist work the Pancaraksa. This manuscript was transcribed in 1635.
The Sanskrit word 'pancharaksa' means 'five protections' and identifies five goddesses as well as a Buddhist collection of rituals invoking them. These five goddesses, called Mahapratisara, Mahasahasra-pramardani, Mahamayuri Mahamantranudharani and Mahasitavati offer protection from sins and diseases, demons, serpents, maladies, wild animals and dangerous insects.
These miniatures from the Wellcome Pancaraksa, Ranjana script, depict the goddesses Mahamayuri and Mahasitavati whose characteristic colours are respectively, yellow and green. The text invokes them to combat serpents and dangerous insects, derangement and other disorders. The text transcribed in gold ink on black paper.
