Sita Achala – The "White Immovable One"
See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 4
Display 6
ABS 066
Code: ABS 066
Country: Nepal
Style: Early Malla Period
Date: 1300 - 1400
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 11.1 x 16 x 7.3
Materials: Gilt Copper. Inset with various precious stones
Sita Achala
Achala is the destroyer of delusions and one of the protectors of Buddha’s teachings. Because of his role as a protector, Achala shows the fierce expression and attributes of a wrathful deity. He is frequently depicted with two protruding fangs. Sometimes one tooth points down, representing his compassion to the world, and the other points up, representing his passion for truth. Achala is often depicted with the Third Eye. He can be white (sita) or blue (nila).
Achala means "The Immovable One" in Sanskrit which refers to his ability to resist temptations. Frequently he stands on a rock or mountain to illustrate his affinity to these surroundings.
Achala is kneeling on one knee on a double lotus pedestal with the sole of his foot facing the sky. He brandishes a sword (khadga) with his right hand, to show that he is "cutting through ignorance". With the left hand he displays the threatening gesture (tarjani-mudra). Achala wears princely ornaments, namely the jewelled three-pointed crown, a pair of circular earrings, a necklace, ornaments on both upper arms, the “investiture with the beaded sacred thread” (ratnopavita), as well as bracelets and anklets.
The presence of rubies is a clear indication that this image was cast by a Newari craftsman in the Kathmandu Valley and was originally not intended for export to Tibet. Images cast in Nepal for the export to Tibet and the ones made by Newaris inside Tibet are usually inset with turquoise and coral and not with rubies. Nevertheless, an inscription on the back states that this statue was indeed exported to Tibet.
Achala is the destroyer of delusions and one of the protectors of Buddha’s teachings. Because of his role as a protector, Achala shows the fierce expression and attributes of a wrathful deity. He is frequently depicted with two protruding fangs. Sometimes one tooth points down, representing his compassion to the world, and the other points up, representing his passion for truth. Achala is often depicted with the Third Eye. He can be white (sita) or blue (nila).
Achala means "The Immovable One" in Sanskrit which refers to his ability to resist temptations. Frequently he stands on a rock or mountain to illustrate his affinity to these surroundings.
Achala is kneeling on one knee on a double lotus pedestal with the sole of his foot facing the sky. He brandishes a sword (khadga) with his right hand, to show that he is "cutting through ignorance". With the left hand he displays the threatening gesture (tarjani-mudra). Achala wears princely ornaments, namely the jewelled three-pointed crown, a pair of circular earrings, a necklace, ornaments on both upper arms, the “investiture with the beaded sacred thread” (ratnopavita), as well as bracelets and anklets.
The presence of rubies is a clear indication that this image was cast by a Newari craftsman in the Kathmandu Valley and was originally not intended for export to Tibet. Images cast in Nepal for the export to Tibet and the ones made by Newaris inside Tibet are usually inset with turquoise and coral and not with rubies. Nevertheless, an inscription on the back states that this statue was indeed exported to Tibet.