Vasudhara
Description
Vasudhara (literally stream of gems) is the Buddhist goddess of wealth and prosperity. Although she originated with Vajrayanists in India, Kathmandu valley is where she seems to have thrived. Newar (a designation of a particular ethnic group in the Kathmandu valley) Buddhists are avowed devotees of the goddess and dedicate such metal images or paintings during the performance of her special rite. They also prefer to represent her with six arms, rarely encountered in India. Aesthetically as well, the representations have a discrete quality that may be characterized as quintessentially Newar. The mellifluous contours, the resilient plasticity of the form, the svelte proportions, and the deft disposition of the graceful arms are some of the distinctive features of Newar aesthetic.
In this golden and gem-encrusted image she sits in the graceful lalitasana and is suitably crowned and bejewelled. An embodiment of physical charm and elegance, she displays with her six hands six attributes, four of which have to do with abundance and plenitude. These are the sheaf of gems (ratnamanjari) in the right middle hand, a fruit in the lower right which also extends in varadamudra, the sheaf of grain (dhanyamanjari) in the middle left hand, and the auspicious
waterpot in the lower left hand. The upper right displays a gesture that signifies the adoration of Tathagata (tathagata vandana) and the upper left grasps a manuscript symbolising knowledge. Thus, clearly she is imprecated for both material and intellectual benefits.
Karl and Meherbai Khandalavala Collection
Collection
Himalayan Art
Object Type
Figurine
Material
Gilded copper alloy inlaid with semiprecious stones
Schools/Culture/Period
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Technique
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Date
circa 1400
Location
Nepal
Dimension
19 x 12.5 x 26 cms.