Goddess Green Tara

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Name: Goddess Green Tara
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XY47
Price: 415.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$477

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Specifications

	XY47
	Copper Statue Gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 14 inch
	Width: 6.5 inch
	Depth: 4 inch
	Weight 3.32 kg

Delivery and Return Policies

	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

The Swift Liberator

Tara, a name meaning "star" in Sanskrit, shines brightly in the pantheon of Tibetan Buddhism. More than just a deity, she is an embodiment of compassion, an active force for liberation from suffering. She is known as the "Mother of all Buddhas," representing the enlightened activity of all Buddhas and a refuge for those seeking guidance and protection. Green Tara, in particular, is associated with swift action and represents the active compassionate nature of enlightened beings. It is said that those who call upon her in times of need will find her assistance immediate and effective.

The Bodhisattva Vow

Legend tells of Tara's origin in a distant past, aeons before the emergence of the historical Buddha. She was a princess, Yeshe Dawa, deeply moved by the suffering of the world. Instead of seeking her own enlightenment, she vowed to remain in the world until all beings were free from sorrow. She declared that she would only incarnate as a female, defying the conventional belief that a male body was necessary to achieve Buddhahood. This resolute act of compassion and selflessness defines Tara's essence. It is a testament to her strength, wisdom, and commitment to alleviating suffering, making her a powerful symbol for practitioners.

Features of the Iconography

The representation of Tara in this statue reflects deep symbolic meaning. She is seated in the lalitasana posture, also known as the "royal ease," which signifies her readiness to spring into action and aid those who call upon her. Her right hand extends downward in the varada mudra, the gesture of giving and granting wishes. This symbolizes her generosity and her willingness to bestow blessings upon her devotees. Her left hand is held in front of her heart in the vitarka mudra, the gesture of teaching and reasoning, holding the stem of a lotus flower, a symbol of purity and enlightenment. The lotus represents the potential for all beings to awaken from the muddy waters of samsara and blossom into enlightenment. Her serene facial expression conveys compassion, wisdom and the boundless love she holds for all beings. She is adorned with ornate jewelry, signifying her princely origins and her access to the riches of enlightenment. The crown upon her head, embellished with precious stones, is a sign of her divinity and her status as a Buddha.

Crafted with Devotion

This statue is more than just a beautiful object; it is a representation of profound spiritual principles. The meticulous creation of this statue reflects the devotion and skill of the artisans who crafted it. The copper base provides a solid foundation, while the 24-karat gold gilding lends an aura of reverence and splendor. This statue serves not only as an object of veneration but also as a reminder of the potential for compassion and wisdom that resides within each of us. By contemplating the image of Tara, we can cultivate these qualities within ourselves and contribute to a more compassionate world.

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.