Simha Dakini

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Simha Dakini
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZEL35
Price: 105.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$121

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	ZEL35
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 3.7 inch
	Width: 2.5 inch
	Depth: 1.2 inch
	Weight 150 gm

Delivery and Return Policies


	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

The Majestic Presence of the Simha Dakini

This exquisite copper sculpture, meticulously gilded with 24 Karat gold, captures the fierce and powerful form of the Simha Dakini. Emanating an aura of divine energy, this deity is a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism, often invoked for protection, wisdom, and the transcendence of obstacles. The intricate detailing and the radiant gleam of gold bring this formidable protector to life, making it a captivating centerpiece for any sacred space or a cherished addition to a spiritual art collection. The Simha Dakini, whose name translates to "Lion-Faced Female Sky-Dancer," is a wrathful emanation of enlightened wisdom. Her leonine visage symbolizes untamed strength, courage, and the power to overcome negativity and ignorance, much like a lion's roar dispels fear and stillness. In tantric traditions, Dakinis are celestial beings, often female, who embody the energy of transformation. They are seen as guides on the spiritual path, assisting practitioners in navigating the complexities of the mind and achieving liberation. The sculpture depicts the Simha Dakini in a dynamic posture, her body poised as if in mid-dance or ready for action. The flames that often surround her symbolize the purification of negativities and the burning away of delusion. Her multiple faces, a common attribute of deities in tantric traditions, represent different aspects of wisdom and awareness, allowing her to perceive and act in multifaceted ways. The third eye on her forehead signifies her all-seeing vision and profound insight into the nature of reality. The craftsmanship of this piece is exceptional. The rich texture of the copper, enhanced by the lustrous 24 Karat gold gilding, creates a play of light and shadow that highlights every curve and contour. The vibrant red accents on her hair and face are characteristic of her fierce yet compassionate nature, suggesting her ability to consume negative forces and bring forth positive transformation. The iconography, down to the accoutrements she may hold, is steeped in symbolic meaning, representing her power to subdue obstacles and to guide practitioners toward enlightenment. This Simha Dakini sculpture serves not merely as an object of beauty but as a potent reminder of the unwavering strength and wisdom that reside within us all. It is a powerful emblem of protection and a beacon of spiritual aspiration, inviting contemplation and devotion. Its small size makes it ideal for personal altars, meditation corners, or as a portable source of inspiration and solace. The enduring appeal of such divine imagery lies in its ability to connect us to the profound spiritual heritage and the timeless pursuit of inner peace and liberation.

A Symbol of Protection and Transformation

The Simha Dakini is a powerful symbol within the Vajrayana tradition, representing the dynamic and transformative aspects of the enlightened mind. She is often associated with the dakini consort of wrathful deities, acting as a protector and guide for practitioners who are diligently pursuing their spiritual path. Tales speak of her appearing to great yogis and masters, bestowing profound teachings and empowering them to overcome inner and outer challenges. Her lion-like features are not just symbolic of ferocity, but also of the boldness required to confront one's own fears and delusions, and to roar with the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. In many mandalas and visualizations, the Simha Dakini occupies a significant position, safeguarding the spiritual space and ensuring the purity of intentions and practices. Her presence is meant to inspire courage, awaken latent spiritual power, and to inspire a profound sense of fearlessness in the face of adversity. This sculpture, rendered in the precious gleam of 24 Karat gold over copper, offers a tangible connection to these potent spiritual energies. The radiant gold symbolizes purity, spiritual attainment, and the ultimate nature of reality, while the underlying copper provides a solid foundation for this divine representation. Bringing this deity into one's environment is an act of invoking her protective blessings and her powerful transformative energy, fostering a deeper connection to the spiritual path and encouraging the development of inner strength and clarity.

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.