Tibetan Buddhist Deity Hayagriva Phurpa (Made in Nepal)

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Tibetan Buddhist Deity Hayagriva Phurpa (Made in Nepal)

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Deity Hayagriva Phurpa (Made in Nepal)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZDA14
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$60.75

$81

25% off

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Specifications

	ZDA14
	Copper Statue
	Height: 4.2 inch
	Width: 0.8 inch
	Depth: 0.8 inch
	Weight 80 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.

A Symbol of Fierce Protection and Transformation

This exquisite copper phurpa, meticulously crafted in Nepal, embodies the potent energy of Hayagriva, a wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. More than just an object of artistic merit, it serves as a powerful ritual implement used in Tibetan Buddhism to overcome obstacles, destroy negative forces, and bring about profound spiritual transformation. The phurpa, often translated as "peg" or "nail," is a symbolic weapon designed to pierce through ignorance and delusion, anchoring enlightened awareness in the practitioner's mindstream.

Hayagriva: The Horse-Necked Deity

Hayagriva is a fiercely protective deity, renowned for his incredible strength and his ability to subdue all negativities. His most distinguishing feature is the horse head that often emerges from his crown or neck, representing his power to overcome all obstacles swiftly and decisively, just as a horse gallops unimpeded. In ancient Indian lore, the horse was often associated with speed, liberation, and the wind, symbolizing the swift and unhindered nature of enlightened activity. Hayagriva’s wrathful appearance, complete with multiple faces, arms, and sometimes a Third Eye, is not an expression of anger but rather a manifestation of compassion so powerful that it can conquer the deepest forms of suffering and ignorance. He is invoked to destroy internal demons like desire, anger, and delusion, as well as external hindrances to spiritual progress.

The Ritual Significance of the Phurpa

The phurpa itself is a multi-faceted symbol. Its pointed end pierces the negative, while its handle often depicts wrathful deities or symbolic imagery. The triple prongs at the blade's base symbolize the taming of the three poisons of greed, hatred, and ignorance, or the conquest of the three realms of existence. This particular phurpa, with its intricate detailing, captures the very essence of this powerful ritual tool. The craftsmanship, originating from Nepal, imbues it with the spiritual resonance of a land deeply rooted in Buddhist tradition. The copper material further enhances its sacred qualities, as copper is often used in ritual objects for its conductive properties and its association with purification.

A Sacred Artifact for Devotion and Protection

This small yet powerful copper phurpa is an ideal piece for a personal altar, meditation space, or as a unique and meaningful gift. Its compact size makes it versatile for display, while its profound symbolism offers a constant reminder of the path towards liberation and the power of enlightened action. It serves as a tangible connection to the rich spiritual heritage of Tibetan Buddhism, offering a focal point for meditation and a source of protective energy. As practitioners engage with its form, they can invoke the blessings and protective power of Hayagriva, seeking to overcome their own personal challenges and to cultivate the fierce compassion needed to benefit all sentient beings.

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.