Scultures of Vajrapani

Two metal images of Vajrapani have been discovered at Sirpur. He belongs to the family of dyani Buddha Aksobhya. He is one of the eight principle Bodhisattvas mentioned in the Sadhanamala. One sadhana describes about him as: ‘Vajrapani is of white colour carries a vajra in one hand and displays the abhaya mudra through the other’ (Bhattacharya 1928; 49). It is remarkable that Bodhisattva Vajrapani was introduced into Buddhism when tantrism became popular amongst Buddhists. He is constant attendant of Buddha in Gandhara art. In Sirpur stone sculptures, Buddha is assisted by Padmapani and Vajrapani mainly in central sanctum of monasteries.

[Registration No. 802; Size 10 x 5.5 cm]

The image presents a strongly-built well-modeled physiognomical frame. The face expresses spiritual introspection and shaped eyes.

With suspicious lines around the neck, he is seated in the vajra-paryankasana attitude on the pericarp of a single lotus pedestal. His right palm, rests on right knee, is in varada-mudra. With a vajra placed over nilotpala, springing from a root scroll, the left palm rest near the thigh. As required by the text, he should display Abhaya mudra by his right hand but here, he shows the varada-mudra.

Draped in a antariya, held by a cord, he is bedecked in valayas, armlets with a flower shaped central piece, ekavali, ear-studs, upavita and a three spiked mukuta which does not bear the effigy of any dyani-Buddha. Circular urna can be seen on forehead.

There is an oval prabhamandala consisting of three plain mouldings having an edge of beads and tounges of flames. Vertical connecting link between the head and prabhamandala is covered with one flower and two stalked leaves hanging by sides making an arch design above the head