See It In Your Home
This brass statue of Ardhanarishvara, the half male and half female form of Lord Shiva, is par excellence in its iconography and craftsmanship. It represents Lord Shiva in his half male and half female form, which Lord Shiva as Adishiva and Sadashiva has inherent in his being.
It is not any kind of quaint anatomy or an artistic experimentalism of conciliating the ever-conflicting male and female elements into one being but the exposition of a well conceived cosmic principle and philosophy of being. This Ardhanarishvara form has to Osho, the most controversial and a totally different kind of thinker of the late 20th century, as great mystic and cosmic significance as it had during the days of Rigveda.
The Rigveda said, "what you describe to me as Male are in reality also Female. He who has the penetrating eyes of the mind discerns this truth". Osho advises that the wise ones should have in their houses the image of Ardhanarishvara for it keeps reminding that division of God's creation on the line of male and female is only superfluous.
The creation is essentially composite in its character and this Ardhanarishvara form is its best manifestation. An Ardhanarishvara image is more complete and hence more sacred for it represents Him in His absolute form and reverence paid to Him in this form is also absolute. This phenomenal manifestation of Shiva is the perception of the unity of creation as perceived the Rigveda.
The existence, which seems to be composed of two sets of diverse elements, is composite and Shiva as Sadashiva, Adishiva or Adipurusha manifests it in his being. Everyone born is either a male or a female, the Adipurusha Shiva, the Sadashiva, the ever present benevolent One, is the total, all that is masculine and all that is feminine.
Cupid and Psyche, the Western models of love, represent the Western vision of the inseparable union of male and female, though it is the unity of two in two forms. In Ardhanarishvara this unity is in one form. Vedas and other ancient texts have talked of this unity time and again and modern scientists and psychologists are amazed on such a vide and scientific concept of Ardhanarishvara or the union of male and female as one being.
As an innovation of art form this Ardhanarishvara brass-piece is simply superb in its craftsmanship. It combines in one form the forms of male and female - in the right half the factors of male physiognomy and in the left half those of a woman. The right half is Shiva and has most of his attributes and the left half his spouse Parvati and has most of her attributes.
The half of four armed Shiva has two arms whereas that of two armed Parvati only a single arm. The magnificence of artist's execution lies in discovering the unity of his form in ever the most conflicting and diverse elements, the masculine and feminine, and what is more, the unity so created is superb and at the same time the distinction, precision, and minuteness with which he has created his contrasts is also unique.
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.
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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