Ushnishavijaya, known in Tibetan as Tsuktor Namgyalma, belongs to the female figures of Vajrayana Buddhism and is recognized as a deity of longevity.
Ushnishavijaya is depicted seated in the lotus posture, padma asana, on a lotus pedestal. She is three-headed, each face bearing a third eye. Her eight arms hold characteristic attributes: a small Buddha figure, a bow and arrow, a double vajra, a jewel vase, and a noose. Further hands display the gesture of granting, varada mudra, and the gesture of protection, abhaya mudra. She wears the crown and full adornment of a bodhisattva.
The small Buddha figure refers to Ushnishavijaya’s epithet as the “Mother of all Buddhas.” The double vajra held before the chest represents the all-encompassing, indestructible absolute. Bow and arrow are held with a specific finger position corresponding to the gesture of warding off, karana mudra. The jewel vase and the gesture of granting refer to the aspect of bestowing support.
The oxidized surface shows a dark brown ground tone, from which polished areas emerge on the hands, the double vajra, and the lotus pedestal. Small turquoise stones accentuate the jewelry; the jewel vase and the lotus pedestal are also set with turquoise at the center, both on the front and the reverse.
The figure follows traditional iconographic conventions and translates them into a considered artistic interpretation.
Copper statue, traditional lost-wax cast. The surface is oxidized and decorated with small turquoise stones.
Yala Craft by Shanta is an Asian company based in Germany. I sell my traditional Buddhist sculpture art, created in my own workshop in Nepal.