Materials:

Gold-plated copper

Lapis Lazuli

Coral

Dimensions & Weight:

Height: 8.5 inches

Width: 6 inches

Depth: 4.2 inches

Weight: 1.5 kilograms

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:

Master Nepali craftsman created this exceptional gilt Shiva statue with his body hand-carved from lapis lazuli, with decorative insets of coral.

Shiva, “The Auspicious One,” also known as Mahadeva, “The Great God,” is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism – one of the major traditions within Hinduism.

Shiva is known as The Destroyer within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity which also includes Brahma and Vishnu. In the Shaivite tradition, Shiva is the Supreme Lord who creates, protects, and transforms the universe. In the goddess-oriented Shakta tradition, the Supreme Goddess (Devi) is regarded as the energy and creative power (Shakti) and the equal complementary partner of Shiva. Shiva is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchavanta puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism.

Shiva has many aspects, benevolent as well as fearsome. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash as well as a householder with his wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also known as Adiyogi (the first Yogi), regarded as the patron god of yoga, meditation, and the arts. The iconographical attributes of Shiva are the serpent king Vasuki around his neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the third eye on his forehead (the eye that turns everything in front of it into ashes when opened), the trishula or trident as his weapon, and the damaru.

Shiva’s right foot is resting on Nandi (meaning “giving delight” or “giving joy”) – the sacred bull. Nandi is Shiva’s animal form, his means of transportation, and his most ardent worshiper.