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The Invincible Mahakala Statue (Made In Nepal)

$1443.75
$1925
25% off
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Mahakala is the name given to the numerous wrathful manifestations of Lord Avalokiteshvara. When the gentle, compassionate Bodhisattva spent years on the mountain of Potala in mortal deliverance and looked down only to find that ihalokiya suffering had not diminished, He was shattered. When He gathered Himself again by the grace of Buddha Amitabha, He transitioned into wrath and ferocity, in stark contrast with His former personality. The Mahakala thus emerged as the doctrine protector of all the lokas (realms of existence) of the Buddhist world.


His skin is the colour of deep, temperate dusk with undertones of black, a shade symbolic of His all-encompassing quality. The vibrant tigerskin loincloth, together with the gold and red of His jewels, sets off that signature complexion. Multi-headed and multi-armed, each of the arms of Lord Mahakala has spewed its own head. No matter the number of heads that belong to this Buddhist deity, they all bear a composure of spine-chilling ruthlessness. The kind that has no mercy for adharma - a determined angle of the neck, large protruding eyes, and invincible blood-lipped jaws.


Note the lifelike sparks behind the Lord’s halo, the dynamic stance of the richly detailed digits, and the realistic glacial patch that is the pedestal. The sheer attention to detail and the precision with which the work has been executed, make this Mahakala murti a fine aesthetic investment.

Specifications
ZEM740
Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
Height: 15.4 inch
Width: 4.2 inch
Depth: 7.5 inch
Weight 3.30 kg
Delivery and Return Policies
Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
Free Delivery
Easy Returns
Easy Returns
Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs
Fully Insured
Fully Insured
All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.
100% Handmade
100% Handmade
All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Divine Protector: A Majestic Mahakala Statue

This striking statue embodies the fierce protective energy of Mahakala, a wrathful deity revered in Tibetan Buddhism as a powerful protector of Dharma and a destroyer of obstacles. Crafted with meticulous detail in Nepal, this copper sculpture is a testament to traditional artistry and deep spiritual symbolism. The figure, rendered in a commanding blue hue, stands atop a stylized base representing a turbulent, churning sea, signifying Mahakala's dominion over the chaotic forces of existence.

Symbolism and Divine Power

Mahakala, whose name translates to "Great Black One," is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This transformation into a wrathful form is not an act of malice, but rather a fierce manifestation of compassion, capable of swiftly and decisively overcoming negativity, ignorance, and spiritual impediments. The multiple arms, each holding various symbolic implements like a sword, a bell, and a circular object, represent Mahakala's omnipresent awareness and his ability to act with incredible speed and power in all directions. The ferocious expressions, bared fangs, and bulging eyes are not meant to instill fear, but to awaken practitioners from complacency and to symbolize the burning away of delusions with the fires of wisdom. The surrounding aura of flames further emphasizes this destructive yet purifying aspect, symbolizing the immolation of negativities. The presence of a smaller golden Buddha figure atop the main deity signifies that Mahakala's wrathful actions are ultimately motivated by the purest intentions, guided by the enlightened wisdom of the Buddha.

Exquisite Craftsmanship and Golden Adornment

The artistry of this statue is truly exceptional. Fashioned from high-quality copper, it has been meticulously gilded with pure 24-karat gold. This opulent finish not only enhances the statue's visual grandeur but also imbues it with a sacred aura, reflecting the divine radiance of the deity. The vibrant colors and intricate detailing, from the ornamentation around the neck and waist to the dynamic rendering of the flowing garments and serpentine adornments, showcase the skill of the Nepalese artisans. Each element, from the individual faces with their distinct expressions to the sharp edges of the weapons, has been brought to life with remarkable precision and devotion, making this a truly captivating piece of sacred art.

A Beacon of Spiritual Protection

This Mahakala statue is more than just an artistic creation; it is a powerful conduit for spiritual protection and transformation. Placing it in your home or meditation space can serve as a constant reminder of the forces that guard against negativity and illusion. It is believed that by honoring Mahakala, practitioners can cultivate inner strength, overcome challenges, and progress on their spiritual path with renewed determination. This magnificent representation from Nepal offers a tangible connection to ancient traditions and the profound wisdom of Tibetan Buddhist iconography, bringing an essence of divine power and sacred beauty into your environment.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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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