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Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Phurpa

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Name: Tibetan Buddhist Mahakala Phurpa
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: ZAE21
Price: 25.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$21.75

$29

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

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Specifications

	ZAE21
	Copper
	Height: 5.2 inch
	Width: 1 inch
	Depth: 1 inch
	Weight 70 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 Divine Destroyer: A Miniature Mahakala Phurpa

This exquisitely crafted copper phurpa embodies the formidable energy of Mahakala, a wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahakala is revered as a fierce protector of the Dharma, a destroyer of obstacles, and a vanquisher of negative forces that hinder spiritual progress. This phurpa, with its potent symbolism and intricate design, serves as a powerful tool for spiritual practitioners seeking to overcome inner and outer challenges.

Symbolism of the Phurpa

The phurpa, often translated as "magical dagger" or "kila," is a ritual implement deeply rooted in tantric traditions. Its three-sided blade represents the destruction of ignorance, desire, and hatred – the three poisons that bind beings to the cycle of suffering (samsara). The ritual use of the phurpa involves pinning down negative energies, dissolving karmic obscurations, and overcoming spiritual impediments. This particular phurpa is adorned with the fierce visage of Mahakala, whose countenance conveys his unwavering resolve to protect the sacred teachings and guide practitioners towards enlightenment. The deity's energetic posture and fierce gaze symbolize the transformative power that can arise from confronting and overcoming one's deepest fears and negative inclinations.

The Revered Mahakala

Mahakala, meaning "Great Black One," is a complex and multifaceted deity. He is often depicted with a terrifying yet compassionate expression, symbolizing his fierce love for sentient beings and his willingness to employ wrathful means to liberate them from suffering. In various traditions, Mahakala appears in different forms, each with specific attributes and functions. This phurpa captures the essence of his protective and destructive power, embodying his ability to sever the roots of negative karma and illusion. His presence is invoked to bring about swift and decisive victory over afflictions, negative influences, and harmful spirits that may impede one's spiritual journey. The tales of Mahakala speak of his unwavering vigilance and his ability to manifest in any form necessary to shield the devoted from harm, making him a cherished protector in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon.

Craftsmanship and Spiritual Significance

Cast from durable copper, this phurpa is not merely an object of art but a sacred vessel imbued with spiritual energy. Its compact size makes it an ideal personal talisman, suitable for placement on an altar, carrying in a meditation space, or keeping close as a constant reminder of Mahakala's protective presence. The details of its casting, from the fierce expression of Mahakala to the symbolic elements that adorn its shaft, are rendered with precision, reflecting the deep reverence and skill involved in its creation. Owning and engaging with this phurpa can deepen one's connection to the protective energies of Mahakala and encourage the cultivation of inner strength and determination on the path to spiritual awakening.

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.