In Hindu philosophy, the ultimate being Shiva is envisioned in many forms depicting various aspects of human life. This philosophy believes that the whole universe is a play of duality, generally known as Purusha and Prakriti.
This duality manifests in the human bodies as well in the form of Shiva(masculine) and Shakti (feminine). The ultimate goal of life is to rise and unify with the one who is beyond this duality.
In the Ardhnarishwar form, Shiva is illustrated as half male and half male. This is to symbolise that reaching the heights of consciousness, he has gone beyond duality and has become one unified entity, a true divine being.
This beautiful bronze statue captures him in his most spiritual and elegant form as the union of Shiva and Shakti. The statue which resembles the ancient portrayals of lord Ardhnarishwar is skillfully brought to life by the brilliant craftsmen of Swamimalai. The lord is standing on an upturned lotus pedestal with his right half being the masculine (Shiva) and left half being the feminine (Shakti) aspect.
Shakti is adorned with beautiful clothes and jewels. She has one arm which is bent in a delicate formation. Shiva on the other hand is barely clad having two arms, one of which is holding a weapon. Still, the face seems one in the glare of serenity and divinity reflecting from it.
Ardhnarishwar is the most profound and authentic state of a being of the stature of Shiva. Not being just an artwork, this philosophy has originated out of great insight. Having this statue will serve as a reminder of the possibilities of the beyond.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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