In
Vajrayana Buddhism, the goddess Kurukulla is an iconic and unmatched divinity
who ensures the protection of the delicate virtues of love and compassion. In
this Nepalese statue, Goddess Kurukulla dances over a figure that
symbolizes the obstacle in the way of love and is armed with a bow and
arrow made of fragrant flowers to take on the forces of negativity and evil.
The purpose of the goddess' ethereal form is to expel her adversaries. She
represents divine armor to her adherents and protects their hearts'
chastity.
The Enchantress of Attraction: A Divine Representation
This magnificent statue captures the essence of Kurukulla, the dakini who embodies enchantment, attraction, and the power to draw all things to her. Originating from the rich artistic traditions of Nepal, this copper statue, meticulously gilded with gold, radiates a divine aura. Kurukulla is a prominent figure in Vajrayana Buddhism, often depicted as a red-skinned goddess with a fierce yet captivating countenance, symbolizing her potent ability to subdue negative forces and attract positive energies, including worldly desires and spiritual attainments.
The iconography presented here is particularly striking. Kurukulla is shown in a dynamic, dancing posture, her multiple arms and legs conveying a sense of fluid power and unwavering resolve. Her stance is reminiscent of the joyous, energetic dance of life itself, a dance that draws beings closer to enlightenment. She is depicted holding a bow and arrow, crafted from flower stems. The arrow, it is said, is shot with the intention of ensnaring the hearts and minds of others, not for conquest, but for spiritual transformation and liberation. In Buddhist lore, this enchantment is not manipulative but a benevolent force that can guide individuals towards the path of Dharma, overcoming obstacles of attachment and aversion.Symbolism and Spiritual Significance
The intricate details of this statue speak volumes about its profound symbolism. The fiery halo that surrounds Kurukulla represents her transformative power, the burning away of ignorance and delusion, and the illumination of wisdom. The skull garland worn by the deity is a potent reminder of impermanence and the ultimate emptiness of all phenomena, a core teaching in Buddhism. The turquoise and red accents embedded within the ornamentation add vibrancy and signify specific aspects of her power, such as wisdom and passion, respectively. Her third eye, prominently displayed on her forehead, signifies her profound insight and omniscience, capable of seeing through illusion.
Kurukulla is particularly revered for her ability to attract wealth, success, and influence, but more importantly, to magnetize disciples, teachers, and the spiritual merit necessary for the practitioner's own advancement. She is invoked to overcome inner and outer obstacles, to bring harmony to relationships, and to foster compassion. In some traditions, she is associated with the element of fire, further emphasizing her purifying and transformative nature. This statue serves as a focal point for meditation and devotion, inviting practitioners to connect with her boundless energy and draw upon her blessings for both worldly well-being and spiritual awakening. Its presence can inspire a deeper understanding of attraction not just as a desire for material gain, but as the drawing force of compassion and the ultimate attraction of the awakened mind.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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