Vajravarahi (Small Statue)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Name: Vajravarahi (Small Statue)
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: XG58
Price: 115.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$132

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Notify me when this item is available

Specifications

	XG58
	Copper Sculpture gilded with 24 Karat Gold
	Height: 3.7 inch
	Width: 2.3 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.

Embodiment of Fierce Compassion

This exquisite small statue captures the dynamic and powerful form of Vajrayogini, a wrathful female deity revered in Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrayogini, often depicted as a dakini, is a tantric goddess who embodies the ultimate wisdom and enlightened activity. Her form, though fierce, is not one of malice but of compassionate urgency, signifying her power to swiftly cut through illusion and ignorance, liberating beings from the cycle of suffering. The statue, crafted from copper and meticulously gilded with 24-karat gold, radiates a celestial aura, reflecting the divine nature of the deity it represents.

Symbolism and Iconography

The iconography of Vajrayogini is rich with meaning. Her fierce countenance, often with bared fangs and an angry expression, symbolizes her ferocity in overcoming obstacles to enlightenment, such as attachment, aversion, and delusion. The single leg raised and the other bent represent her decisive action in stepping beyond worldly concerns and traversing the path to liberation. The ritual staff (khatvanga) she holds symbolizes her mastery over negative forces and her ability to transform them. The conch shell often depicted in her hand represents the sound of the Dharma, calling sentient beings to awakening. The flame aureole behind her signifies the burning away of all impurities and the radiant light of wisdom. This particular representation showcases her triumph over a subjugated figure, symbolizing the subjugation of ego and negative emotions, paving the way for spiritual realization.

Cultural Significance and Devotion

Vajrayogini is a central figure in many Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, particularly in the Sarma schools. She is considered a manifestation of the enlightened mind and is invoked for protection, spiritual realization, and the removal of obstacles. Her practice is known for its profundity and transformative power. Tales abound of yogis and yoginis who achieved enlightenment through their devotion to Vajrayogini. She is often seen as the embodiment of Prajnaparamita, the perfection of wisdom, and as the consort of Chakrasamvara, representing the union of wisdom and method. This statue serves as a potent reminder of these spiritual principles and offers a focal point for meditation and devotion, inviting practitioners to connect with her enlightened energy.

An Auspicious Treasure

The intricate details of this statue, from the delicate adornments to the expressive facial features and the dynamic posture, are a testament to the skill of the artisan. The 24-karat gold gilding adds a layer of sacredness and auspiciousness, imbuing the piece with a divine luster. Whether intended for a personal altar, a meditation space, or as a unique and meaningful gift, this small statue of Vajrayogini is a captivating piece that inspires awe and devotion. It is a miniature masterpiece that brings the powerful presence of this enlightened goddess into your home or sacred space, offering a tangible connection to profound spiritual wisdom and the path to liberation.

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.