This brass artefact represents a delightful combination of two highly auspicious symbols immensely revered in Indian theology, art and day-today life. The artefact comprises the image of dancing Ganapati mounting a large size bell and a decorative chain. The chain holds the bell and the Ganapati image by a ring rising from the apex of the deity's crown. The chain consists of ten loops, each comprising the inverted lotuses, smaller one below and larger one above, and two squarish rings appended to it on both ends.
Bells, as also lamps and other auspicious articles suspending with a chain, had emerged as a decorative element in Indian cave art right since Gupta period but it had greater thrust subsequently in temple architecture such as at Khajuraho. Façades of many temples were carved completely with bell and chain motifs.
The so far known earliest example of the detached metal chain with lamp, datable to the eighth century, is from Jageshvari caves, Bombay. The artefact, now in the collection of the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, is in Early Western Chalukya character. Most of the Hindu temples ancient, medieval and contemporary, and even cities, forts, castles and private houses have the image of Ganapati on the lintels of their main entrances, as Ganapati is believed to keep calamities, detriments and evil away.
The Ganesha-pol, gate, at the Amer fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan is globally known for its great magnificence and unique artistic quality and that at Gwalior fort for its massive structure. In Indian ritual practices, Ganapati is invoked before a rite is begun so that it is performed detriment free. Lord Vishnu has himself prescribed the Adi-puja, first worship of Ganesha Ado pujya Vinayaka. Hence, before a devotee enters the temple and offers his services to the presiding deity, he is required to first make offerings to Lord Ganesha. His lintel image accomplishes this object.
Inside the entrance, which in the prescribed temple architecture should be the temple's ardha-mandapa, portico, devotee encounters the auspicious bell suspending from its ceiling. He rings it before entering the sanctum sanctorum, as the sacred sound of the auspicious bell, reverberating with the power of mantras, re-enlivens the deity and the shrine. In Indian tradition, before a deity is installed in the sanctum sanctorum, life is instilled into its image, which is its Prana-pratishtha. But, despite, a devotee is required to re-enliven the deity for himself and for doing so he rings the bell and through its magnetism sound, sends his life-current into the image.
It is only after such common magnetic circuit is created between the deity and devotee that the deity responds to what the devotee desires. To a common devotee, the bell the power of mantra condensed, is, thus, the auspicious instrument that connects his intrinsic being with the deity, the same as yoga and dhyana are a yogi's instruments. The artefact is thus dually sacred, as it combines mantra the condensed cosmic nada, sound, contained in the bell with the most auspicious deity of Indian pantheon.
If hung over the entrance of the abode, either of god or man, this Ganapati-bell will be both Ganesha on the lintel of the entrance as also the auspicious bell in the portico. The artefact is a divine chandelier, which does not spread the light that one lights with one's own hands but the unseen light that emits from it the divine magnetic rays.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.
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.
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.
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