Brahma is said to have been born from Vishnu's navel through the great lotus. In the beginning, after the Great Deluge, on the inspiration of Mahadevi Vishnu invoked his own creative powers and created earth in the form of lotus rising from his nave. Brahma is said to have emerged from this lotus. The lotus is thus his birth symbol. Brahma suffered from the passion to create. He hence devoted himself to rigorous penance for acquiring power to create. The rosary symbolises his great hundred year penance. The pot, which the Brahma icon carries in its left hand, is the symbol of Earth, which Brahma created. Thus, the four attributes of Brahma iconography represent his birth, penance, creation and the light of knowledge, which he spread.
As has the 'Puranic' tradition, initially Brahma had only one head. In the course of creation he created by the power of his mind a number of sons. Alike, from his own half he created a maid. She was extremely beautiful and was hence named 'Shatarupa', the one who possessed a hundred beauties. Brahma wedded her. The passionate Brahma was so attached to her that he did not remove his eyes from her face even for a moment. One day the sportive Shatarupa, to cajole Brahma, began whirling around him. With his numerous sons scattered all around it was not graceful for him to move round with Shatarupa with his eyes fixed on her. He hence created on his neck four heads in all four directions. Shatarupa wished to tease him more. She flew into sky. Brahma then created a fifth head upon his matted hair. This fifth head was later destroyed by Shiva. On the strength of his five heads Brahma claimed superiority over Shiva. This enraged Shiva and he crushed Brahma's fifth head. In painted versions of Brahma he usually has all his heads bearded, which in metal cast has its own difficulty and hence in metal-cast his heads are usually without beard.
Refined plasticity, sensitive delicate melting quality of modeling, subtle serene warm sensuousness articulated by delicate facial expression and a kind of celestial glow characterise this Brahma icon. The physiognomy of the image combines with exceptional luminosity, spirituality and tenderness a strong kind of sensuousness and beauty of form so relevant to Brahma iconography. Fine features, highly proportioned figure, desired expression on its face, unity of form, splendid ornamentation and elegantly incised costume are exceptional merits of the image. In its towering head dress and crown, 'tripunda' mark on foreheads and facial build the image of Brahma has reflections of South Indian Chola bronzes. The metal used for casting the image is brass mixed with copper and the technique of casting is obviously the age old lost wax method.
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.
Of Related Interest:
Brahma (Madhubani Painting on Hand Made Paper treated with Cow Dung)
The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha (Orissa's Paata Painting)
A wall hanging with Uma, Maheshvara, Brahma and Vishnu (Kalamkari Painting on Cotton)
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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