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8" Vajrayogini Statue From Nepal

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$637.50

$850

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Standing in the majestic Alidha posture, the celestial being enlivening this handmade gilded copper Nepalese statue is a Vajrayogini, a powerful being who is evoked by a Buddhist practitioner to remove the obstacles from their path to enlightenment. Her three eyes are capable of seeing the past, present, and future. She has intricate jewelry created from human skulls that adorn her transcendental form. A "Khatvanga" with three human heads, which stand for youth, aging, and death, is affixed on her left shoulder. In Tantric rites, the cleaver in her hand symbolizes severing ties with the outside world. She accepts the sacrifice made by a yogi by drinking heartily from a skull cup that represents a skull. She tramples under her feet those who obstruct yogis' ascent on the path of faith.

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Specifications

	MIU259
	COPPER GILDED WITH GOLD
	Height: 8 inch
	Width: 6 inch
	Depth: 3 inch
	Weight 1.30 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Usually ships in 6 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embodiment of Fierce Compassion

This exquisite statue captures the powerful form of Vajrayogini, a prominent Dakini goddess revered in Tibetan Buddhism. Crafted from copper and generously gilded with gold, this representation radiates spiritual energy and profound meaning. Vajrayogini is known as the "Diamond Yogini" or "Vajra-flesh," symbolizing the transformative power of wisdom that cuts through illusion and attachment. Her dynamic posture, with one leg raised and the other pressing down, signifies her mastery over obstacles and her active engagement in liberating beings from suffering.

Symbolism and Divine Power

The iconography of Vajrayogini is rich with symbolic meaning. She is often depicted with a fierce expression, red or black complexion, and three eyes, signifying her omniscience and her ability to see beyond the ordinary. The tantric practices associated with her are designed to help practitioners achieve rapid enlightenment by transforming negative emotions into wisdom and realizing their inherent Buddha-nature. The skull cup in her left hand represents her mastery over the "elixir of life," while the vajra-handled flaying knife in her right symbolizes the sharpness of wisdom that cuts through ignorance and delusion. The flaming aura surrounding her signifies the purifying and transformative power of her energy. In this depiction, she is shown trampling a prostrate figure, symbolizing her victory over ego, ignorance, and the forces that hinder spiritual progress.

Artistry and Spiritual Devotion

This statue, originating from Nepal, is a testament to the exceptional skill of its artisans. The meticulous detailing, from the intricate ornamentation of her divine adornments to the fierce yet benevolent expression on her face, reflects centuries of devotional practice and artistic tradition. The lustrous gold gilding imbues the statue with a radiant aura, inviting contemplation and meditation. Such statues are not merely decorative objects; they serve as focal points for spiritual practice, reminding devotees of the potential for enlightenment and the wisdom that lies within. The base of the statue, adorned with lotus petals, symbolizes purity and spiritual awakening, anchoring this celestial being in the earthly realm. Owning and honoring such a representation is an act of devotion, fostering a connection with the profound teachings and spiritual power that Vajrayogini embodies.

How are Nepalese copper statues made?

Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual purposes in their temples and monasteries.

Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.

The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.

Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.

At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is obtained.

This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.

The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools. It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.

Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.

The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique

for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details. Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.