The Indian Buddhist Iconography

by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya | 1958 | 51,392 words | ISBN-10: 8173053138 | ISBN-13: 9788173053139

This page contains an iconography image of (Avalokiteshvara): Khasarpana and represents figure 103-104 of the book Indian Buddhist Iconography, based on extracts of the Sadhanamala English translation. These plates and illustrations represent either photographs of sculptures or line-drawing reproductions of paintings or other representations of Buddhist artwork.

Figure 103-104 - (Avalokiteśvara): Khasarpaṇa

Khasarpana
Figure 103: Khasarpaṇa
(Vikrampur, Dacca)
Khasarpana
Figure 104: Khasarpaṇa
(Indian Museum)

Khasarpaṇa is described in a number of Sādhanas in the Sādhanamālā, which fact points to his popularity. The peculiar feature of this god is that he is invariably accompanied by the four divinities Tārā, Sudhanakumāra, Bhṛkuṭī and Hayagrīva. The principal figure is the same as Lokanātha, two-armed, and one faced, carrying the same symbol and exhibiting the same Mudrā; the difference lies in the fact that Lokanātha has only two companions, Tārā and Hayagrīva while Khasarpaṇa has two in addition, namely, Bhṛkuṭī and Sudhanakumāra. He is of white complexion, and sits either in the Lalita or the Ardhaparyaṅka attitude.

The finest image (Fig. 103) of Khasarpaṇa was discovered by the late N. K. Bhattasali in the Pargana Vikrampur in Eastern Bengal. The sculpture is recognized to be one of the best products of Bengal art. Had the central figure been mutilated like the one reproduced in Fig. 104 it would still be possible to identify Khasarpaṇa by means of the four companions to the right and the left of the principal god. Images of Khasarpaṇa are found in Tibet and China.

Colour: white;
Symbol: lotus;
Mudrā: varada;
Āsana: lalita or ardhaparyaṅka;

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