Embark on a journey of wisdom with Yoga Ganesha, a sculpture intricately crafted through Madhuchista Vidhana in the sacred Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai. The symbolism of the elephant-headed deity transcends the material world, guiding seekers on a path of enlightenment and self-realization. Yoga Ganapati is the 30th of the 32 various forms of Ganapati. Ganesha was given this name because he is frequently represented in a yogic pose, with both knees tied up with a golden strap while engrossed in mantra Japa or meditation.
He carries a Rudraksha mala in his right hand and a yoga stick in his matching left hand. His other two hands are adorned with a noose and a sugarcane stem. Here, Lord Ganesha sits on a lotus podium, signifying his patronage of the virtues of knowledge and wisdom. Every curve and detail of this sculpture serves as a visual metaphor, inviting devotees to delve into Lord Ganesha's profound teachings and spiritual insights.
In true embodiment of the supreme, otherworldly, divine, royal, and ascetic manifestations of Hindu gods, we have the ‘panchaloha’ bronze image of a seated figure of Ganapati as ‘Yoga Ganapati,’ the ascetic. The thirtieth among the thirty-two forms of Ganesha detailed in texts like the Mudgala Purana and the Sritattvanidhi, this form of Ganapati is iconic for the way his legs are bound by a ‘yogapatta,’ or a meditation girdle, which allows our supreme remover of obstacles to meditate for hours on end without straining his back. A similar figuration with the ‘yogapatta’ is seen in other sculptural works as well, for example, in this Narasimha brass idol or this Ayyappan bronze image.
Being fully absorbed in meditation, Yoga Ganapati truly personifies the ascetic spiritualism of his father, the supreme destroyer of the cosmos, Shiva. As the ascetic mendicant, Ganesha carries with him the ‘rudraksha mala’ or rosary beads, which channels the prayers of the devout, and the instructions which Shiva passes down to his son. The walking stick placed under the left fore hand is similarly another accoutrement for the wandering mendicant deep in meditative thought. The noose is iconic in symbolising the instrument with which Ganesha guides his devotees over the path of righteousness. Finally, we have the ‘ikshukanda,’ or the sugarcane stalk that represents the sweetness of life that the devout attain with righteous action and the blessings of Ganesha.
Eternal Brilliance Unveiled: The Mystique of Panchaloha Bronze and Artful Maintenance Rituals
Bronze is a metal alloy that has the primary composition of Copper and Tin. There is also an addition of other metals such as Manganese, Aluminium, Nickel, and some non-metals such as Phosphorus. This composition of several metals and non-metals makes Bronze an extremely durable and strong metal alloy. It is for this reason that Bronze is extensively used for casting sculptures and statues. Since Bronze has a low melting point, it usually tends to fill in the finest details of a mould and when it cools down, it shrinks a little that makes it easier to separate from the mould.
" If you happen to have a bronze statue, simply use a cotton cloth with some coconut oil or any other natural oil to clean the statue. "
A village named Swamimalai in South India is especially known for exceptionally well-crafted Bronze icons of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The skilled artisans of this place use Panchaloha Bronze for casting the icons. Panchaloha Bronze is made of five metals; Copper, Zinc, Lead, and small quantities of Gold and Silver. Zinc gives a golden hue to the finished figure and Lead makes the alloy softer for the easy application of a chisel and hammer. The common technique for producing these statues and sculptures is the “Lost-wax” method. Because of the high durability of bronze sculptures and statues, less maintenance is required, and can still last up to many decades.
Exotic India takes great pride in its collection of hand-picked Panchaloha Statues. You will find the murtis of Gods (Krishna, Hanuman, Narasimha, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Kartikeya) and Goddesses (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, and Parvati), and Buddha statues. You can also buy Ritual paraphernalia (Wicks lamp, Puja Kalash, Cymbals, and Puja Flag) on the website. All these statues and items have been made with a lot of care and attention, giving them a flawless finish. Their fine carving detail represents the rich tradition of India.
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