Fine Quality Oxidized Copper Alloy with Silver Plated 7" Simha Mukhi Jogini on Mandala Statue

Simha Mukha Yogini on Mandala Statue

 Simha Mukhi Yogini Dakini – Retinue of Four Deities

Simhamukhi, Dakini (in Tibetan: Seng Ge Dong Chen Kha Dro Ma and in English: Lion Faced Dakini). With a body black in color, the face is that of a white lion, with three round yellow eyes, blazing fiercely with a gaping mouth, a yellow beard, eyebrows, and hair flowing upward. The right hand holds upraised a curved knife which is called Kartika to the sky, left hand holds a skull cup of blood to the heart, carrying a Khatvanga staff tipped with a trident in the bend of the elbow supported against the shoulder. Adorned with a tiara of five skulls, a red scarf, elephant skin, bone ornaments, a long snake, and fifty freshly severed heads as a necklace, she wears a tiger skin skirt. Standing on the left leg with the right drawn up, trampling on a double triangle symbol, corpse, sun, and multi-colored lotus seat, Simhamukha in a mood of great fierceness dwells in the middle of a blazing fire of pristine awareness.

Gestures and Attributes

Simha Mukha Yogini appears in a form wrathful, feminine, and demonic; indeed, her form is said to be actually that of a Matrikia or Mamo, not because her nature is evil or demonic but because her wrathful aspect (khro gzugs) skillfully overcomes and subdues those violent negative energies. Simha Mukhi is a Jnana Dakini or wisdom goddess. According to Jigme Lingpa (1726-1798), the famous Nyingmapa master and discoverer of hidden treasure texts or Termas, Simha Mukhi represents a Nirmanakaya manifestation, appearing in time and history, whereas her Sambhogakaya aspect is Vajravarahi and her Dharmakaya aspect is Samantabhadri, the Primordial Wisdom herself.

About this Sculpture

This stunning statue, an exquisite portrayal of Simha Mukha Yogini, is expertly sculpted from Copper Alloy using the revered lost wax method. Meticulously hand-carved, it undergoes an oxidation process with Silver Plating, resulting in a finish that is both rich and sensuous.

The fine details of the statue, including the intricately carved ornaments, necklaces, armlets, and anklets, along with the frame behind the figure, showcase the meticulous craftsmanship of the master artisans. Simha Mukha Yogini stands gracefully on a Mandala base adorned with a captivating design featuring three encircles. The innermost circle displays skulls, followed by Vajra circles in the middle, and the outer circle is adorned with winding vines, imbuing the sculpture with symbolic depth.

Elevating the Mandala's beauty is a hand-carved design of three skulls, further enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the piece. The combination of oxidation and silver plating not only enriches the appearance but also imparts a vibrant and lifelike quality to the statue.

Individually crafted in Patan, Nepal, by master artisans of the esteemed Shakya clan, recognized as among the world's best, this sculpture represents a continuation of a centuries-old tradition. These craftsmen, modern heirs to this legacy, specialize in creating sacred art for temples and monasteries. The fine metalworking techniques employed in its creation have been passed down through generations since ancient times, adding a profound historical and cultural significance to this exceptional work of art.