Mammoth in height and infinitely detailed, this Panchaloha icon from Swamimalai presents the might of Sri Vishnu, who is evoked amongst the Vaishnavas and Hindus as “Satya-Narayana” or “Sathya-Narayana” -the embodiment of supreme Satya or truth. According to the Vaishnava tradition, Lord Vishnu is the ultimate manifestation of the divine light of truth, which pervades the universe and defeats the darkness of Asat or untruth. As a materialization of the beauty that divine truth holds, this statue of Satya-Narayana exemplifies why he is revered as “Perumal” or the great one.
Sri Satya Narayana in this bronze statue stands on a beatific platform on an inverted lotus in the Sampadasthanaka posture, with his legs placed together creating a stunning balance of elements in the icon. The platform in itself is a powerful element in the statue, with the images of Vishnu's Dashavatara gracing spaces on it. A seven-hooded Adi-Shesha whose heads are delineated realistically forms the Chattra or royal umbrella for Vishnu. He wears an elongated Kiritamukuta crown, with a stylized bird holding a bell in its beak and a bird pair motif in the front. Satya-Narayana’s rounded countenance is adorned with a U-shaped Vaishnava tilak, arched eyebrows, lotus eyes, and full lips. Earrings in the shape of delicate foliage hang from his ears, with their delicate beauty complemented by the bejeweled ornaments on Bhagawan Satya-Narayana’s limbs. A diaphanous dhoti forming soft lines clings to Sri Satya Narayana’s legs, and is held snuggly by a gemmed waist belt with the Kirtimukha (face of glory) emblem.
This form of Sri Vishnu Satya-Narayana is called the Chaturbhuja-Roopa or the four-armed form, associated with his powers of sustaining and preserving the world. He holds his characteristic attributes in his hands, all of which are employed by the Lord in protecting his children. Noteworthy in this magnificent artwork is the suppleness of Satya-Narayana’s fingers, which seem to have absorbed the delicateness of lotus blossoms. Holding the stylized beauty of a dancer showcasing his mudras, the fingers of the heavenly Lord wrap around his ayudhas.
Rules of measurement, form, and balance have been followed tediously by the skilled Swamimalai Sthapatis, to sculpt this masterpiece of a statue. The manner in which a divine stillness and a striking animation are balanced by this roopa of Satya-Narayana, and the sheer awe it inspires in the heart of the onlooker, makes us believe that if the supreme truth took a form, it would have been the one we see in this iconic Panchaloha icon.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist