The diverse land of India is home to the third-largest religion in the world, Hinduism. Hinduism, or Sanatana Dharma, is the oldest religion with four major categorizations: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Religion in itself is a big umbrella beneath which exists a wide variety of thoughts or beliefs about the concept of God, the number of deities, traditions, philosophy, and faith of countless devotees.
In Hindu philosophy there are several Gods and Goddesses, however, there are 3 principal gods that are above every other Gods and Goddesses. The Hindu Trimurti is the ultimate ruler of the universe, Lord Brahma is the creator, Lord Vishnu is the operator and, Lord Shiva is the destroyer. Brahma is the creator of everything in this universe, ancient scriptures show that Lord Brahma is a bearded deity with 4 heads residing in the Brahmaloka. Vishnu being the operator makes sure there is enough balance in the cosmos, he holds dharma above everything while teaching 6the mankind the importance of following the path of goodness and dharma. Shiva, the god of destruction can quite literally destroy the cosmos with his tandava. He represents universal masculinity and femininity in equal parts, as depicted by Ardhnarishwara.
The term Tridevi includes the spouse of the Trimurti each known as their Shaktis Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati. Saraswati embodies wisdom and knowledge, she is the companion of Brahma accompanying his creativity. She can always be seen portrayed in a white saree because white as a color represents the purity of mind and soul while also carrying a Veena as she is the goddess of music as well. Lakshmi is the most devoted goddess in Hinduism representing wealth, prosperity, and fortune. She is the wife of Lord Vishnu and together they are inseparable as when Vishnu comes down to earth Goddess Lakshmi accompanies him. Lakshmi is portrayed sitting on a lotus pedestal surrounded and adorned in gold which is a symbol of wealth. Parvati is the divine companion of Lord Shiva, a representation of Adi Shakti. As she said immense respect for Shiva, her sole purpose for being born on earth was to reunite with her eternal love lord Shiva.
Goddess Lakshmi: Lakshmi is known for being the goddess of wealth, good fortune, and prosperity. Lakshmi brass statues are intricately crafted sitting on a lotus pedestal with a sacred pot of wealth symbolizing her generosity and the embodiment of balance between materialism and spiritual wealth.
Goddess Saraswati: Brass Saraswati statue reflects the deity's abundance of wisdom, knowledge, and creativity. With Veena ( musical instrument) in one hand and Jap mala in another, goddess Saraswati is often seated on an elevated pedestal or a white swan. She is the goddess of knowledge, arts, and music thus, worshipped by many many devotees around the world.
Goddess Durga: Maa Durga is a popular female deity in Hinduism, mainly worshipped in India but also worshipped in other countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh. Durga is considered to be the mother of this world protecting us from the negative energies and granting dharma. She is depicted wearing a saree and sitting on her Vahana (lion), she has multiple arms each holding onto her weapons to destroy the evil.
Lord Shiva: Shiva is the supreme deity of the Hindu pantheon and a part of the holy trinity along with Brahma and Lord Vishnu. He is known for his generosity and his fascinating dance that can quite literally destroy anything. He is said to be a yogi who recites a simple life on Kailasa mountain, husband of Goddess Parvati, and father of Ganesha and Kartikeya. Shiva is the definition of infinity teaching us the path of enlightenment.
Lord Krishna: Krishna also known as Govinda, Gopala, Radharaman, etc., plays a different role for people who see him differently, for some as a friend, for some as a son or a master. One can worship Krishna in any of his forms but worshipping him alongside Radha is considered to be most auspicious because Radha represents a human and Krishna represents God therefore being the perfect example of love between mortal and the Divine.
Being the center of attention signifying the spirituality, beauty, and tradition of the religion, brass statues often get stuck with a lot of dust and rust making them lose their appearance, which is why it is highly crucial to look after the deity's states that are residing in your space to keep them looking nice and shiny all the time.
Before starting the actual cleaning process, it is necessary to start with a light dusting with a plain dry cloth to get rid of any dry dust on the statue. This will also make the job much easier.
Now, go ahead and mix in a simple cleaning solution for your statues, which mainly consists of lukewarm water and mild soap. Make sure to stay away from any harsh chemicals, as they can harm the natural patina that is built on the statue's surface.
Once done with the gentle cleaning process of the statue dip the cloth in some water to get rid of the excess soap after the surface of it. If you still end up identifying more gunk stuck in the cracks and crevices of the statue, go ahead with a toothbrush, making sure gentle and light strokes to ensure you don't end up harming the delicate features.
Brass figures are legitimately a symbol of spirituality and purity making it crucial to cleansing the environment as well as the energies of the statue. Incorporate these cleaning practices into your routine to ensure the lasting beauty of the brass statues for future generations to experience.
Every Hindu idol has its own history and spiritual significance making them a perfect addition to your space if you are someone who appreciates bronze statues for their elegance and craftsmanship. They are full of complicated carvings and designs that do justice to them which shows that they are not just a representation of spiritual energies but also a great addition to the home decor because of their specialty of being highly versatile and resilient to a certain extent. This ability of brass makes it a long-lasting and tough metal that does not tarnish any time soon if taken care of properly making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. Owning Brass statues is a great way to show honor and support to the artisans who have been making these statues for years perfecting their skills every single time they make more. The craftsmanship showcased by these underrated and skilled artisans is truly magnificent.
In Hindu culture deities play a prominent role which is why considered divine. Gifting the gods and goddesses is a great way to show your love and appreciation to your ones making them a better option than any other materialistic gesture as they are a great way to share blessing, good fortune, and good health.
Even if gifting a deity is a beautiful gesture at the same time it is highly vital to choose the right one to ensure that the gift stays truly meaningful. In Hinduism, there are various deities all with different personalities and spiritual significance. Ganesha statue is the remover of obstacles and auspicious beginnings making them a perfect gift for someone seeking blessing for success. Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and wealth which is great to wish abundance and financial success. Vishnu being the protector of the universe can be the ultimate gift for someone who is seeking inner peace and balance in their life. Gifting an idol statue is the purest gesture in the Hindu tradition to show someone love, respect, and positivity of thoughts.
Exploring the culture through deities that are not only the major aspect of the spiritual significance of thousands of devotees but also an artistic representation of the intricately carved statues made by local artisans with utmost respect and care is one of the best ways to get into the deep cultural richness of Hinduism. Each religious statue portraying a certain deity astonishingly bridges the gap between humans and the divine by embodying the lessons and their spiritual teachings.
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