VISHNU
Vishnu è la seconda Divinità della Trimurti indiana, formata da Brahma, Vishnu e Shiva. I Vaishnava adorano Vishnu come dio supremo, e credono che si reincarni in un Avatar tutte le volte che l'umanità viene a trovarsi in un periodo di crisi spirituale. Krishna è l'Avatar più grande di Vishnu. La sua rivelazione riempie le pagine della Bhagavad Gita, il sublime poema divino. Ha come segni la conchiglia, il disco, il bastone e il loto.
VISHNU LAKSHMI NARAYANA
LAKSHMI NARAYANA è una rappresentazione tantrica di Vishnu.
"Vishnu is one of the principal gods of Hinduism; as preserver he is the embodiment of mercy and goodness, the self-existent all-pervading power which maintains the universe and the cosmic order (dharma). To accomplish his task he undergoes various incarnations, in which he appears on earth endowed with a spirit of self sacrifice and devotion. In addition, Vishnu appears in other forms, known as the Vaikunthanatha, the name of a form of Vishnu residing in the Vaikuntha heaven. In his manifestations as Vaikunthanatha, Vishnu appears as the chief deity in the Land-of-No-Hindrance, where there is no fear. In this example of Vaikuntha, Vishnu is portrayed with his shakti Lakshmi seated on his left knee and enthroned on a lotus supported by his vehicle Garuda. This Hindu group is a tantric manifestation of the Lakshminarayana icon.
Vishnu is portrayed with five heads, each depicted with a crowned diadem, flowers above the ears, earrings and an urna (third eye). Three heads represent his most important aspects as master of the universe with on top Para, the basis of the universe, in the middle Vyuya, the manifestation of his appearance, while the lower middle head is that of Vibhava, the manifestation of his incarnations. This last head is flanked by the heads of his avatars Narasimha (lion) and Varaha (boar). Vishnu has twelve arms and is seated in padmasana on a lotus throne supported by his vahana, Garuda. This mythical creature has six hands, two clasped in anjalimudra and the others holding a mala, a parasol, and a padma. He has the outstreched wings, clawed feet and face of a bird. The two-handed Lakshmi is seated in lalitasana (the posture of royal ease) on Vishnu's knee. Vaikuntha holds a full complement of attributes, with a chakra, a khetaka, a gada, and a padma in his right hands, and a trisula, a pustaka, a sankha, a kalasa and a standard in his left hands. Vishnu and his consort are both adorned with necklaces, bracelets, flower garlands and ornaments, and each makes the gesture of varadamudra (gift bestowing) and abhayamudra (do not fear). Two kneeling disciples, their hands in anjalimudra, flank Garuda. The entire group is encircled by a large nimbus.
The term 'Malla' refers to the monarchs who ruled over the Kathmandu Valley for more than five centuries. This stone sculpture is a classic example of the Malla period and can be compared to dated pieces of the 16th century. An inscription is engraved on the front of the base. During this period, two kings, Siddhinarasimbha Malla of Patan and Pratapa Malla of Kathmandu, were devout Vaishnavas and considered themselves to be incarnations of Vishnu. Pratapa Malla built two temples in each of which he dedicated an image of Vaikuntha Vishnu. At this time, there was an increased emhasis on Vishnu with more complex variations in the iconographic forms largely derived from Tantric imagery. Two similar examples to the present stone sculpture were found near the Changu Narayana temple [1].
These beautiful and youthful deities are depicted in a well balanced and harmoniously structured sculpture. It is an inspired and striking composition, modelled with great movement, with subtle poses and lively expression revealing the couple's physical and emotional inseparability. With its impressive majesty and beauty, this image of Lakshminarayana reflects the highest quality of sculpture produced during the Malla period in Nepal.
1. Lain S. Bangdel, Inventory of Stone sculptures of the Katmandu valley, Royal Nepal Academy, 1995, p. 369, no. 23, Vaikunta Vishnu 16th century, height 27 inches, and no. 24, Vaikuntha Vishnu, 27 inches, 16th century. Both pieces are found near the Changu Narayana temple. (il sito è asianart ).
Vishnu is portrayed with five heads, each depicted with a crowned diadem, flowers above the ears, earrings and an urna (third eye). Three heads represent his most important aspects as master of the universe with on top Para, the basis of the universe, in the middle Vyuya, the manifestation of his appearance, while the lower middle head is that of Vibhava, the manifestation of his incarnations. This last head is flanked by the heads of his avatars Narasimha (lion) and Varaha (boar). Vishnu has twelve arms and is seated in padmasana on a lotus throne supported by his vahana, Garuda. This mythical creature has six hands, two clasped in anjalimudra and the others holding a mala, a parasol, and a padma. He has the outstreched wings, clawed feet and face of a bird. The two-handed Lakshmi is seated in lalitasana (the posture of royal ease) on Vishnu's knee. Vaikuntha holds a full complement of attributes, with a chakra, a khetaka, a gada, and a padma in his right hands, and a trisula, a pustaka, a sankha, a kalasa and a standard in his left hands. Vishnu and his consort are both adorned with necklaces, bracelets, flower garlands and ornaments, and each makes the gesture of varadamudra (gift bestowing) and abhayamudra (do not fear). Two kneeling disciples, their hands in anjalimudra, flank Garuda. The entire group is encircled by a large nimbus.
The term 'Malla' refers to the monarchs who ruled over the Kathmandu Valley for more than five centuries. This stone sculpture is a classic example of the Malla period and can be compared to dated pieces of the 16th century. An inscription is engraved on the front of the base. During this period, two kings, Siddhinarasimbha Malla of Patan and Pratapa Malla of Kathmandu, were devout Vaishnavas and considered themselves to be incarnations of Vishnu. Pratapa Malla built two temples in each of which he dedicated an image of Vaikuntha Vishnu. At this time, there was an increased emhasis on Vishnu with more complex variations in the iconographic forms largely derived from Tantric imagery. Two similar examples to the present stone sculpture were found near the Changu Narayana temple [1].
These beautiful and youthful deities are depicted in a well balanced and harmoniously structured sculpture. It is an inspired and striking composition, modelled with great movement, with subtle poses and lively expression revealing the couple's physical and emotional inseparability. With its impressive majesty and beauty, this image of Lakshminarayana reflects the highest quality of sculpture produced during the Malla period in Nepal.
1. Lain S. Bangdel, Inventory of Stone sculptures of the Katmandu valley, Royal Nepal Academy, 1995, p. 369, no. 23, Vaikunta Vishnu 16th century, height 27 inches, and no. 24, Vaikuntha Vishnu, 27 inches, 16th century. Both pieces are found near the Changu Narayana temple. (il sito è asianart ).
Il primo è un bronzo dorato del Nepal, XIV secolo, conservato al Musé Guimet di Paris. L'immagine l'ho ricavata da una cartolina. Oggi per me segna un momento memorabile. Questo momento. Desiderato insperato arrivato.
