Tibetan Buddhist Hayagriva Phurpa

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Hayagriva Phurpa
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZCD93
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$69

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZCD93
	Copper
	Height: 4.3 inch
	Width: 1 inch
	Depth: 1 inch
	Weight 80 gm

Delivery and Return Policies


	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

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Fully Insured

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100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

Embrace Inner Power with the Hayagriva Phurpa

This exquisite phurpa, a potent ritualistic dagger from Tibetan Buddhism, embodies the fierce energy of Hayagriva, the wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara. Crafted from durable copper, this small yet powerful artifact is steeped in symbolism, designed to overcome obstacles and purify negativity. Its intricate detailing, from the horse head at the apex to the wrathful visages and skull adornments, speaks to the profound spiritual power it represents.

The Power of Hayagriva

Hayagriva, whose name translates to "Horse Neck," is a fearsome deity known for his ability to conquer demons, negative karma, and spiritual ignorance. His horse head is a symbol of swiftness, freedom from worldly attachments, and the vital force of life. In Tibetan lore, Hayagriva is often invoked to cut through illusion and delusion, much like a sharp blade severs a rope. His wrathful aspect is not one of malice, but of ultimate compassion, a furious protector who swiftly destroys hindrances to enlightenment. The skulls adorning this phurpa further emphasize its power to transcend death and overcome the fear of mortality.

The Significance of the Phurpa

The phurpa, or kīla in Sanskrit, is a ritual implement central to Vajrayana Buddhism. It represents the five symbolic poisons (ignorance, anger, pride, attachment, and jealousy) being transmuted into wisdom. The pointed blade symbolizes the piercing of ignorance, while the handle often features intricate designs representing the union of wisdom and compassion. This particular phurpa, dedicated to Hayagriva, amplifies these qualities, making it a formidable tool for spiritual practitioners seeking to purify their minds and overcome internal and external obstacles. It is believed to subdue negative forces and protect the practitioner from harm, acting as a spiritual catalyst for transformation.

A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship

This meticulously crafted copper phurpa is a testament to traditional Tibetan artistry. The choice of copper, a metal revered for its purity and conductivity, adds to its spiritual resonance. Each element is rendered with precision, creating a miniature work of art that is both aesthetically captivating and spiritually significant. Its compact size makes it ideal for personal altars, meditation spaces, or as a portable devotional item. Owning this Hayagriva phurpa is an invitation to connect with the profound spiritual lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and to harness the power of transformation within your own life.

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.