17" Panchamukha Gangadhara Shiva Brass Statue | Handmade | Made in India

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Explore the profound representation of Lord Shiva with our Panchamukha Gangadhara Brass Sculpture, a captivating piece handcrafted in India. This artwork encapsulates the multi-faceted nature of Lord Shiva and the eternal flow of the Ganges River. Lord Shiva is depicted with five faces, symbolising the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space, representing the interconnectedness of all existence, a fundamental concept in Hindu philosophy. As Gangadhara, he carries the sacred Ganges River in his hair, signifying the divine act of accepting both the purity and impurity of life. Place this sacred sculpture in your home, and let the profound symbolism of Panchamukha Gangadhara inspire you to embrace life's dualities and interconnectedness, finding inner peace and spiritual enlightenment.

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Item Code: XF55
Specifications:
Brass Sculpture
Dimensions 17 inch X 14 inch X 9 inch
Weight: 10.27 kg
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide

This exotic brass-statue, strangely conceived and cast, represents Lord Shiva in his five-faced manifestation revered in the sculptural convention as representing his Sadashiva form : Shiva beyond time. With all five faces cast in a straight line, as on a piece of paper or canvas, the image makes a complete departure from the tradition of sculptures in stone or metal that arrange four of the five faces on four sides, or into four directions, and the fifth, above them, facing the sky. Though this iconography was used mostly for Mukha-ling – phallus-with-face icons, not anthropomorphic, where rest of the body’s anatomy did not condition this placing, it has been for long the most accepted form of Panchamukha Shiva icons. In conceiving and casting this brass statue the artist has completely rejected this model of the Shiva’s five-faced icon. His arrangement of faces in straight line has helped attributing to one of them the central position affording him the scope for specifying which of the Shiva’s many manifestations he proposes to represent as the main form in the statue. This manipulation has afforded adequate space for the rest of the body’s anatomy, especially for each of the ten arms to emerge in its full form, not as branching from the main two, and for a sitting posture helping determine the image kind.


All five heads have independent elegantly knotted coiffures. A massive form of river Ganga has been rendered as emerging from the coiffure of the face in the centre. The coiffures on all other four faces have snakes with their hoods up encircling their knots. Obviously, the craftsman intended to represent Sadashiva in his manifestation as Gangadhara – one who carries river Ganga in his coiffure. A well-known myth, pleased with the long rigorous penance of king Bhagiratha, Ganga, a river as also a vain goddess residing in heaven, agreed to descend on the earth for the redemption of the cursed selves of the Bhagiratha’s sixty thousand ancestors wandering since long. However, she warned him that in the course of her descent the earth would not be able to hold her current and would be swept. Ganga had a passion for Shiva and wished to possess him but Shiva never approved her feelings for him. Ganga, out of her lust for him, designed to obtain him by cunning. She advised Bhagiratha to please Shiva to hold her on his head when she descended on the earth as he alone could bear her flow. By another round of penance Bhagiratha pleased Shiva who arrested Ganga in the locks of his hair and discharged only after she long entreated. This gave Shiva his Gangadhara name.


Equally significant is the sitting posture – ‘asana’, of the image, with both feet turned upwards like lotus petals, known in the iconographic convention as ‘padmasana’, usually a posture of Yogic meditation. Apart, he is seated on a tiger skin, the usual mattress of Yogis. This sitting posture along with the style of locks of hair braided like snakes scattered all over, form of eyes and the demeanour of the face, as also an abundance of snakes with a couple of them comprising his ear-ornaments of the central face and his soiled figure, all suggest that he is in Yogic posture. Thus the statue also defines his form as Yogeshvara. The image is ten-armed, a logical sequence of a five-headed form. He is holding in those on the right side knife, trident, bell and spear; the fifth is held in ‘abhaya’; in those on the left, he is carrying fire, mace, noose, serpent and a rod with head. He has a bold iconographic form with a broad round face and forehead with ‘tri-punda’ mark and ‘tri-netra’ – the third eye. The face in the centre has crescent on its coiffure – Shiva’s form known as Shashidhara, one who bears moon.


This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.

 


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. 

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. Is the statue hollow or solid ?
    A. Brass statues are made through a process of clay casting, hence are hollow. Whereas, panchaloha bronze statues are made through a process of lost wax casting, hence they are solid.
  • Q. Can I see the original photo of the product ?
    A. For original pictures of the statue, kindly email us at [email protected].
  • Q. Can I return the statue ?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy.
  • Q. Can you customise the statue for me ?
    A. For any customisation, kindly email us at [email protected].
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