29" Large Size Ganesha - The Son of Nataraja In Brass | Handmade | Made In India

Ganesha’s stance and sharpness display his exuberance, focusing attention on his slender body in spite of having a portly figure. The multiple pleated dhoti that he wears is fashioned in a flowy and luxurious manner with the traditional long kamarband enhancing its charm. Zoom in to appreciate the natural texture of the mouse’s body identifying it as a hairy type; ornamented in graceful jewels and the long layered sun-haloed crown is inspired by the great South Indian temple carvings.

Having a lavishly carved and striated trunk in valampuri pose, large ornamented ears in horizontal lines and the tilak on the forehead reminding us of Shiva’s third eye, are some of the minutest briefings on which the carver has paid keen attention. Ganesha is framed here in a double-layered Kirtimukha ring which is surrounded by mesmerizing flowers signifying his love and a colorful aura, unlike Shiva’s ferocious ring of flames; the inner edge is decorated with leaves joining together to form small temple tops in the upper half. Not only the distinctive structure but also its magnified size is an eye-catcher for the viewer.

The Art and Symbolism of Nataraja: Unraveling the Mysteries of Lord Shiva's Cosmic Dance

Lord Shiva appears in the form of Nataraja to perform his divine act of Cosmic dance (Tandava). The word Nataraja denotes 'The King of Dance'. Natya means “dance” and Raja means “king”. The Nataraja form symbolizes the destruction of the universe. The Lord performs Rudra Tandava to destroy the illusion, an evil residing within the hearts of the living beings. The destruction is the end of the cycle of birth and death, and the beginning of spiritual enlightenment of the individual souls misguided by Maya (illusion).

Lord Nataraja wears a serpent coiled around his neck. He holds 'Agni' (fire) in his posterior left hand which signifies the energetic vibrations for the destruction of the world. His anterior left hand takes the shape of Gajahasta (Elephant hand) or Dandahasta, showering his blessings upon his devotees, and extends towards his left leg. There is a snake wrapped in his anterior right arm that represents 'Abhaya' (without any fear). His posterior right hand is carrying a musical instrument 'Damroo', which represents time and rhythm. His whirling hair stands out as a fan behind his head as he performs the divine cosmic dance He is surrounded by a fiery ring 'Prabha Mandala' that represents the material world, full of suffering and pain. Thus, this form of Lord shiva ultimately depicts the destruction of the ignorance of all the spirit souls, showing them the path to liberation.

What is special about Nataraja?

Nataraja is considered one of the highest forms of Lord Shiva in which he performs the functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction of this material world. Shaivites worship this form of Shiva and take blessings from him to remove all obstacles in their devotional life. His three eyes symbolize an equilibrium of the three modes of material nature namely sattva (mode of goodness), rajas (mode of passion), and tamas (mode of ignorance). The special purpose of his Tandava (transcendental dance) is to release the conditioned souls of this material world from the clutches of Maya which is the external energy of the Supreme Lord Vishnu or Krishna.

Who is under the feet of Nataraja?

Lord Nataraja stands on a lotus pedestal placing his right foot on the dwarf demon named Apasmara. This demon represents spiritual ignorance and nonsensical speech. According to the Vedic scriptures, ignorance is the greatest enemy and obstacle on the path of self-realization. To preserve knowledge in the world, Apasmara must be subdued to bring about spiritual knowledge or transcendental wisdom. For this purpose, Lord Shiva assumed the form of Nataraja and with his rhythmic movements, he placed his foot on the demon Apasmara and crushed him to death. Thus, signifying that whoever takes the shelter of Nataraja, is freed from ignorance and has his doors open for spiritual advancement.

Can we keep Nataraja statue at home?

Many people believe that the statue of Nataraja should not be kept and worshiped at home because this form of Lord Shiva is associated with ultimate destruction. They believe that it will only bring about auspiciousness in their lives. However, as discussed earlier, Nataraja's Tandava dance has a deeper meaning. It is the celebration of the destruction of ignorance in the path of self-realization which is in fact the victory of good over evil. Thus, one can surely keep the statue in their home.

How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?

Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.

Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.

The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.

To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.

In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.

Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.