Separated from the world around him by the hood of Adi Shesha, who represents eternal time, the eleven-headed Vishwarupa emanates divinity from every inch of the statue. Every face is animated, ornamented exquisitely, and carved so that it looks like a natural extension of the central figure of Krishna. Attired beautifully, Sri Krishna has his hands in the mudras of giving boons and fearlessness. From his torso which is wreathed in ornaments and floral garland, a lotus sprouts with the figure of Lord Brahma enthroned on it.
Beneath the imposing image of Krishna's Vishwarupa, the chariot of Arjuna is carved, with Arjuna bowing in front of Krishna, who is engaged in the Gita-Upadesha, with his finger pointing at his amazing form as if highlighting the ultimate truth of life- Krishna is the supreme Brahma. The pedestal of this wooden sculpture has icons of Dashavatara carved in individual arched frames, each ornately decorated.
The enchantment of this statue does not end on the obverse As one moves to the reverse of the sculpture, heavenly imagery awaits the eyes. On the topmost level, Veda Vyasa and Ganesha, Mahabharata's authors, are seated. Below that is the figure of Sri Vishnu lying on the coils of Shesha, surrounded by Garuda, Hanuman, and sages, accompanied by the ever-auspicious Lakshmi, all praying to the great preserver for his benevolence. In the statue's central section, Mahabharata's epic drama is delineated with superb masterfulness. Krishna stands in the center of these scenes, blowing his Panchajanya.
One can observe the episode of Bhima's meeting with Hanuman, the fight between Duhshasana and Bhima, Bheeshma Pitamaha's face-off with Arjuna as Shikhandi stands in front of him on the chariot, and the battle between Arjuna and Karna, where the later is on the ground trying to get the wheel of his chariot out of the mud.
The sheer amount of detailing on this wooden masterpiece is mind-blowing, but when one is reminded of the epic saga of Mahabharata, it only seems fitting that it gets such a grand artistic treatment. Crafted as if to visually narrate the entire epic, this wooden statue of Vishwarupa is a one-of-a-kind aesthetic gem from the treasure trove of Indian art tradition.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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