Vajrapani - Bronze - Nepal - 20th century

Impressive Vajrapani from Nepal (late 20th century).
Bronze cast statue in three parts, 26 cm high. It weighs 2.8 kg. Beautifully patinated bronze with still some red pigment residues.

Vajrapani means 'Holder of the Lightning' (literally 'Vajra in his hand'). He is an important bodhisattva, symbol of the power of all Buddhas. Vajrapani was/is the protector and guide of the Buddha.

He stands in a martial posture on a lotus throne in a halo of blazing fire. Wearing a tiger skin, he holds a vajra (or 'dorje') in the right hand; in the left he holds a pasha, a kind of lasso with which he binds demons ('negativity'). In wrath he wears his crown with 5 skulls, symbolizing the transmutation of the 5 poisons into the 5 wisdoms. He has 3 eyes, symbolizing his knowledge of the past, present, and future. Around his neck hangs a garland of serpents; he is a protector of the Nagas.

This Vajrapani comes from an antique dealer. I bought him 15 years ago as he is now, and beyond that we do not know whether he originated from Nepal around 1950.

He will be shipped very carefully packed.