Vajrapani – The “Vajra Bearer”
  See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 3

ABS 067

 Code: ABS 067

  Country: India (north-east)

  Style: Late Pala Style

  Date: 1000 - 1100

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 5.1 x 7.5 x 3.3

  Materials: Brass

Vajrapani – The “Vajra holder”

Vajrapani (Tib. Chakna Dorje), bodhisattva of enlightened strength, is seated in the attitude of ease on a double lotus pedestal, his right foot resting on a lotus flower. With his right hand, he holds a vajra scepter in front of his chest. He supports himself with the left hand, from which rises the stalk of a (broken) waterlily originally blossoming at shoulder level. The stem of a second waterlily is rising from the other side of the throne, the blossom of which has also been broken off. Vajrapani bears the royal appearance of divine manifestations, he is clad in silk and adorned with jewels. The eyes, lips and “third eye” are inlaid with silver and copper, and the garment is finely decorated with engraved patterns.

Bodhisattvas are “heroes for the awakening.” They are advanced practitioners who are motivated by compassion, and who strive to help all sentient beings to attain liberation on their path to perfect Buddhahood. Their royal adornments symbolise the quality of their spiritual realisation.