Hindu Art

Hindu Statue, Seated Ganesh, in Bronze

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Ganesh, also called Ganapati, the elephant headed God of Wisdom and Success is the defender and remover of obstacles and has to be propritiated first before worshiping other Gods. He is one of the sons of Siva and Parvati. He is known as "Sidhi Data" or bestower of success in the work. His elephant head is believed to be an emblem of wisdom. His head often has one full tusk, while the other is broken. It is said that he lost it in a fight or that he used it to dictate the Maha-Bharata to the sage Vyasa. His mount or standard is a rat, a symbol in Hindu fable of the sagasity & trickery of this world, much like the fox in the west. So it is natural that the rat should first be conquered, then subdued and employed by the being who represents spiritual strength, whom he was bound to recognise as his superior, since his own cunning would tell him that Ganesh would prove a better guide than even his own perspicacity.

Hindu God Shiva Statue in Bronze

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Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator forms part of the main hindu trinity of gods together with Brahma, the creater and vishnu, the protector. Shiva is one of the oldest gods of India. Images of him have been found that are dated to 2500 B.C. Shiva is the god who destroyed creation after every Kalpa, and at the same time he became the great ascetic who preserved the world with his meditation. He was related to aspects of fertility, and his symbol is the lingam, the male reproductive organ and the source of his power. He is usually represented in one of three forms: As Nataraj in a dancing pose, as a lingam (phallus) or as an anthropomorphic form. This sculture show him as Shiva-Dakshina-Murti or Mahayogi, one of the best known depictions of shiva. He is seated on the tops of the Himalayas in deep meditation. His abode is the sacred mountain Kailash. He is wearing a simple loincloth, sometimes with the hide of an antelope around him, and seated on a tiger skin. He wears a moon sickle in his hair and a snake coil around his neck. In his hands he holds a trident and an ax. His attributes include a water jug. His face is turned to the south (Dakshina), the direction which brings good luck. He is the greatest of all the yogi’s.

Hindu Goddess Lakshmi Statue in Bronze

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Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, happiness and beauty emerged from the ocean of milk when the Gods churned it to produce Amrita (divine nectar) and she at once became Vishnu’s consort. She is pictured as an ideal of slim-waisted, full breasted feminine beauty. When she is depicted separately from Vishnu as in this case, she has four hands: in two of them she is holding lotus flowers, while the other two bestow the gifts of well-being and prosperity. When she is depicted with Vishnu, Lakshmi has only two hands. She sits or stands on the lotus flower, and sometimes has elephants on either side. The new moon night of November is dedicated to her annual ceremony. Lakshmi is said to reside in sweet-smelling floral garlands which bring fortune and wealth to the wearer. She also has a role as a fertility goddess and is particularly linked to the richness of the soil.

Hindu God Vishnu Statue in Bronze

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Vishu, “ The Preserver,” forms the main Hindu trinity together with Brahma, “The Creator,” and Shiva, “The Destroyer.” Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and represents mercy and goodness. He is said to be the cosmic ocean Nara meaning water which was the only thing in existence before the creation of the universe. For this reason, he is also known as Narayana or “one who moves in the waters.” In his Narayana aspect he is represented resting or seated on a coiled serpent, Seshanag, which represents the sleeping universe. Vishnu is represented as a dark man with four arms: in one hand he holds a conch shell (shankha) indicating spread of the of divine sound “OM”; in the second hand he holds a discus (chakra) as a reminder of the wheel of time and therefore to lead a good life; the third hand holds a mace (Gada) indicating his power and punishing capacity if discipline in life is ignored; and the fourth hands holds a lotus (Padha) which is an example of joyful existence. He is usually dressed in yellow robes. His vehicle is the swift-flying bird called Garuda. Vishnu’s consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune.

Hindu God, Dancing Ganesh Sculpture, in Bronze

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Ganesh, also called Ganapati, the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Success is the defender and remover of obstacles and has to be propritiated first before worshiping other Gods. He is one of the sons of Siva and Parvati. He is known as "Sidhi Data" or bestower of success in the work. His elephant head is believed to be an emblem of wisdom. His head often has one full tusk, while the other is broken. It is said that he lost it in a fight or that he used it to dictate the Maha-Bharata to the sage Vyasa. His mount or standard is a rat, a symbol in Hindu fable of the Sagasity & trickery of this world, much like the fox in the west. So it is natural that the rat should first be conquered, then subdued and employed by the being who represents spiritual strength, whom he was bound to recognise as his superior, since his own cunning would tell him that Ganesh would prove a better guide than even his own perspicacity.

Hindu Goddess Saraswati Sculpture in Bronze

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Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and all the creative arts. Saraswati is called the Mother of the Veda's and the repository of Brahma's creative intelligence. Saraswati is also called Vak Devi, the goddess of speech. Dressed in white, Saraswati holds a mala and a palmleaf scroll, indicating knowledge. Saraswati usually rides a swan and sometimes a peacock, while playing music on a veena.

Hindu Goddess Durga Sculpture in Bronze

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Durga is one of the most important and powerful goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Originally worshipped as the embodiment of natural forces which grant life as the same time as taking it away, she was later asigned the role of the shakti of the impersonal absolute, the female conterpart of the great male deity. In this role she was also seen as the wife of Shiva in addition to, or as part of Parvati. In her friendly manifestation she feeds people and animals, but above all, she is the warlike protectress who always reveals her destructive strenght when the earth is threatened by demons. she is known for her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishhashura, which none of the male gods could defeat. Durga is worshipped as the Protectress of the Law, Destroyer of Evil and Preserver of Dharma (the doctrine of divine law). Durga usually has four to eight arms, and sometimes three eyes. She often sits on a a lotus throne, or rides a tiger. Her attributes are a trident, sword, snake, bell, drum, skull bowl, bow and arrow, wheel, club, water jug and conch shell.

Hindu Goddess Uma / Parvati Statue in Bronze

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Goddess Parvati is the wife of Lord Ishwara. She has several names, each with a special significance. Since Ishwara or Shiva is also called 'Bhava' his wife is known as 'Bhavani.' She is 'Parvati', being the daughter of the king of mountains, Parvataraja. With the same connotation she has two other names - 'Girija' and 'Shailaja', as she is the source of all good things to all those who have faith and follow the path of virtue, she is 'Sarvamangala.'Since her childhood days she was a devotee of Lord Shiva. She would constantly engage herself in meditation and worship of Shiva, without even changing the posture. So her mother Mena would out of exasperation say "Parvati, don't do this tapas (meditation)." In Sanskrit ‘u’ is a word of address and 'ma' means 'don't' or 'not wanted.’ Hence she got the name 'Uma'.

Large Lakshmi

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