Hariti, holding a child
stone
ca. 1st-2nd century C.E.
Balaju, Kathmandu
Huntington Archive Scanned Image Code: N4041

This sculpture is still in worship.

The story of Hariti is, briefly, as follows: The Buddha was staying in a town where a yaksi named Hariti lived. She was the mother of 500 children, but was known for kidnapping and devouring other people's children. The women of the town sought the assistence of the Buddha, who responded to their request by taking one of Hariti's children. When she found her child was missing, Hariti mourned her loss and went to the Buddha, asking for the return of the child. From that time on Hariti swore to be a protector of children and of the Dharma. In return, the Buddha promised that she would be fed in monasteries every day. Hariti protects children from disease, especially smallpox, and she is worshipped in Nepal to this day.

 the heavy, almost tubular legs with thick anklets and the widespread position of the legs. In the Indian tradition as well as in Nepal figures of this type from circa 1st - 2nd century are usually identified as matrkas.