Ekajati stands as
a formidable and potent guardian within the realm of Vajrayana Buddhist
mythology. With a solitary head, breast, and eye, she exudes an aura of
singular power. Her lone eye gazes into boundless space, while a single fang
pierces through hindrances. Like a nurturing mother, her lone breast provides
sustenance to advanced practitioners.
Her visage is
marked by intense features – her eyes bulging, eyebrows furrowed, and adorned
with a garland of severed heads. Attributes like her skull bowl and curved
knife further accentuate her fearsome presence. She stands as an embodiment of
strength and protection, a guardian figure that commands respect and reverence
within the Vajrayana tradition.
The Ferocious Protector: Ekajata's Vigil
This magnificent statue depicts Ekajata, a fierce protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism, rendered in gleaming copper with gold accents. Standing tall and dynamic, Ekajata is a powerful manifestation of enlightened awareness, embodying the wrathful aspect necessary to overcome obstacles and negative forces that impede spiritual progress. The statue captures her in a moment of intense action, poised to vanquish hindrances on the path to enlightenment.Iconography and Symbolism
Ekajata, meaning "Single Braid," is characterized by her solitary braid of hair, often depicted as fiery red, symbolizing her boundless energy and potent wrath. In this sculpture, her countenance is fearsome, with bared fangs, bulging eyes, and a fierce expression that conveys her unwavering resolve. She is shown trampling a prone figure, often interpreted as ignorance, ego, or demonic forces. The bull beneath her hooves further symbolizes primal power and the overcoming of brute force by spiritual discipline. Her body is adorned with intricate jewelry and a divine robe, indicative of her high spiritual status, while the aura of flaming mandorla surrounding her represents the inferno of wisdom that consumes all delusion. Her raised hand grasps a weapon, a symbol of her active engagement in protecting the Dharma and its practitioners.Craftsmanship and Material
Crafted from high-quality copper and meticulously finished with gold, this statue is a testament to the skilled artistry of Nepalese artisans. The use of copper as a base material provides a durable and resonant medium, while the application of gold imbues the sculpture with a divine luminescence, reflecting the sacred nature of the deity. Every detail, from the texture of Ekajata's garments to the subtle musculature of her form and the intricate ornamentation of the base, is rendered with exceptional precision and care. The dynamic composition and the masterful detailing contribute to the statue's commanding presence and its spiritual efficacy.Ekajata in Buddhist Lore
Ekajata is a prominent figure in tantric Buddhism, particularly in the Nyingma tradition. She is often associated with the wrathful aspect of Tara, the universal mother deity who liberates beings from suffering. In Tibetan mythology, Ekajata is considered a wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara or a consort of Hayagriva. Her fierce appearance is not one of malice, but rather a display of her power to cut through spiritual obstacles and protect practitioners from inner and outer demons. She is invoked to remove fear, overcome obstacles to practice, and grant swift protection. Her single braid, a prominent feature, is said to symbolize her unbroken focus and her singular dedication to the welfare of sentient beings. This powerful deity is a reminder that compassion can manifest in forms that are both terrifying and ultimately benevolent, acting with decisive force against ignorance and delusion.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.
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