The bestower of wealth and abundance, Maa Lakshmi can be seen in traditional iconography flanked by two elephants, with their trunks raised, performing consecration of the goddess. This imagery of Lakshmi has been developed based on the description of ancient texts where, upon her emergence after the Samudra Manthana- churning of the ocean, goddess Lakshmi is said to have been welcomed by elephants who sprinkled water on her- performing her Abhisheka.
Among other things, elephants’ connection with Devi Lakshmi can be understood as a symbol of her role as the provider of royalty. As the sovereign ruler of the realm of material and spiritual wealth, the goddess is often evoked as Rajyashree- Rajya meaning the realm ruled by a king and Shree is one of the oldest epithets for Maa Lakshmi. Elephants, the gigantic animals, have always been associated with kings, who used them as their mode of transportation, owing to their humongous size that inspired awe, respect, and fear. Kings and their Rajya (states) are a thing of the past today, but the wish to live like a king, luxuriously and full of material and spiritual riches still exists in numerous hearts. For realizing this aspiration of living a well-endowed life on every front, the goddess Gajalakshmi is worshipped.
In the bronze you see here, Devi Lakshmi can be seen with two elephants, one on each side, holding a pot of water in their trunk, with their front feet raised in the air. The base of the bronze is two-tiered, on top of which the goddess is given an upturned lotus pedestal, minutely decorated with attractive motifs. Maa Lakshmi is postured elegantly, slightly tilted to her right, wearing a conical crown that adds to the impact of her divine presence. The ornamentation of the Kiritamukuta (conical crown) is noteworthy, especially the peacock that is placed on the left side of the crown. The bird, like the elephants, signifies power and royalty in Indian culture. Holding two beautiful lotuses sophisticatedly, the goddess is adorned in the most pleasing fineries. From her main left hand, Maa Lakshmi is showering gold coins- an attribute used in icons to underline her abilities to provide everlasting wealth. Empowering commoners, kings, and Sri Vishnu himself, goddess Lakshmi finds a fitting representation in this bronze murti as the abode of all the luxuries and auspiciousness that is experienced in the creation.
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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