Compassion, kindness, and a soft heart that cares for every living entity are virtues that form the basis of the principles of Buddhism. Everything that the great sect teaches us is derived from the life stories of the Buddha, contained in the Jataka tales, one of the primary texts of the Buddhist tradition.
This white marble statue of Siddhartha depicts the Buddha before he achieved Enlightenment. Siddhartha, the royal prince who later became the Enlightened One had begun to exhibit the qualities of a great man from his early days. The story that inspired this marble Siddhartha-Buddha statue tells us that one day, as Siddhartha was sitting in his palace garden, he saw a Hamsa or swan fall on the ground. When Siddhartha approached the bird, he found that it was wounded by an arrow that belonged to his cousin Devadutta, who rushed to the spot to claim his hunt.
As the issue of whom did the swan belong heated, the matter was taken to the royal court, where Devadutta argued that as per the rules of the kingdom, the game belonged to the hunter. The benevolent Siddhartha calmly pointed out that since the swan was not yet dead, it was not game, but only a wounded being who should be treated with love and care.
Pleased by Siddhartha’s benevolence and wisdom, the assembly declared the swan to be free. The noble prince nursed the wounded swan and as soon as the bird regained its health, he released it, free to enjoy the vast sky once again.
Represented in the glistening white marble Siddhartha statue, the prince can be seen gently holding the feeble swan, and caressing it to soothe its pain. The kindness and humanity of the soon-to-be Buddha are beautifully captured in this statue. Though the story dates back to the time when Siddhartha had not given up his royal life, the marble statue depicts him with his distinctive coiled hair and long earlobes- symbols that are attached to his life as a mendicant. The only attribute that attests to his regal status is the exquisite necklace that adorns his neck. This juxtaposition of elements that belong to his later life is done in order to underline the fact that Siddhartha, who was displaying virtues par excellence was born with the Enlightened wisdom, for which the coils and the dangling earlobes become the visible signs.
How to clean and maintain marble statues?
Marble has been a preferred material for sculptors and artists for more than a thousand years. It is a rock that undergoes metamorphism which causes recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. Marble comes in various colors, designs, and dimensions. Pure white marble is the most preferred type of marble for making sculptures and statues since time immemorial. White marble is especially used for sculpting stone monumental sculptures since ancient times. The natural shine and luster of the carbonate crystals of white marble give a lavish and beautiful appearance to the statue.
Marble stone statues are highly durable and can even withstand harsh weather conditions without getting corroded, therefore, they can be kept indoors or outdoors without getting damaged or weathered. Although these statues can last for many decades, their regular care and cleaning are essential to increase their longevity and beautiful appearance.
Marble statues need periodical cleaning to maintain their flawless look. However, harsh and deep cleaning can result in making the statue look dull. If your marble statue is withering away, it is recommended to take the help of a professional cleaner. Marble is a delicate material and therefore needs proper care.
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