Hayagriva,
the wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara
in Buddhist culture is a potent deity, whose divine guarding forces are
condensed in this exquisitely made copper Phurba or Phurpa from Nepal.
Hayagriva literally means “the horse-necked one”, and the artist has used a
horse head at the top of the Phurba to depict the deity’s association with this
imagery. The handle of the Phurpa has heads of Hayagriva with awe-inspiring
expressions placed on it, which extends into a dragon’s mouth, from which
emerges the blade.
Embodying Divine Power: The Hayagriva Phurpa
This exquisite copper phurpa, meticulously crafted in Nepal, is a powerful symbol of spiritual might and esoteric practice. Its compact size belies the immense spiritual energy it embodies, making it a potent artifact for meditation, ritual, or as a striking decorative piece. The phurpa, also known as a kīla, is a ritual dagger central to Tantric Buddhism, believed to pierce through ignorance and obstacles on the spiritual path.The Ferocious Visage of Hayagriva
At the apex of this phurpa stands the fearsome yet benevolent form of Hayagriva, a wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Hayagriva is renowned for his horse-headed aspect, symbolizing his ability to subdue all negative forces and distractions with the neighing sound of his divine steed. His countenance on this phurpa is rendered with intense detail, conveying fierce protection and unwavering determination. The surrounding multitude of smaller skulls signifies his dominion over cyclic existence and his power to overcome death and rebirth.Symbolism and Ritual Significance
The phurpa itself is a powerful symbol of stability and penetration. Its three-sided blade represents the subjugation of the three poisons of attachment, aversion, and delusion. The tri-pointed end is said to pierce through the three realms of existence – desire, form, and formlessness – thus liberating the practitioner. In tantric rituals, the phurpa is used to consecrate sacred spaces, subdue demonic forces, and anchor protective energies. This copper representation, imbued with the spirit of Himalayan artistry, serves as a tangible link to these ancient traditions and practices.Artistry and Craftsmanship
Hand-forged in Nepal, a land steeped in spiritual heritage, this phurpa showcases the profound skill of traditional artisans. The copper medium lends a unique warmth and resonance to the object, while the intricate detailing speaks to centuries of perfected craftsmanship. From the stylized horse head to the menacing faces and the detailed scrollwork on the handle, every element is rendered with precision and devotion. The patina acquired over time, if present, would further enhance its sacred character, telling a silent story of devotion and spiritual use. This phurpa is not merely an object of art but a vessel of spiritual potency, ready to inspire and protect.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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