Manjushri: Meaning and Iconography of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom

Manjushri is the bodhisattva who represents prajna, the transcendent wisdom of the Buddhas, in Mahayana Buddhism, Wikipedia notes. His fuller name, Manjushrikumara-bhuta, means "Manjushri, Still a Youth", or less literally "Prince Manjushri", and he is usually shown young. The Durbar Square range includes statues and thangkas of him.

The sword and the book

Wikipedia's reading of the classic image gives a clear guide: the flaming sword in his right hand stands for transcendent wisdom cutting through ignorance and duality, while the lotus in his left hand carries a Prajnaparamita sutra, a "Perfection of Wisdom" text, marking a realization that blossoms with wisdom. He is often depicted riding or seated on a blue lion.

The legend of the Kathmandu lake

Manjushri has a special place in Nepal's own story. According to the Swayambhu Purana, as recounted on Wikipedia, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. A lotus flower shone with brilliant radiance at the centre of the lake, and Manjushri cut a gorge at Chovar with his flaming sword to let the water drain. Where the lotus settled, the great Swayambhunath Stupa arose, and the valley became habitable.

The mantra of wisdom

Wikipedia notes that Manjushri's mantra is very popular in Nepal, where Vagishvara Manjushri is a popular deity. The mantra is built around the Arapacana syllabary, named after its first five letters - a, ra, pa, ca, na - with "dhih" as its seed syllable, chanted with greater emphasis. In Tibetan tradition, the article adds, this mantra is believed to strengthen wisdom and to support debating, memory, writing and other literary skills.

The Manjushri pieces at Durbar Square

The Gold Plated Manjushri Statue ($2,203) shows the classic form - the sword raised in the right hand, the book resting on a lotus at his left shoulder - handcrafted in copper, fully gold plated and set with rubies and emeralds, per its listing. The Manjushree Mandala Thangka with Pancha Buddha ($1,321) places him at the centre of a gold mandala with the five Buddhas above, painted in gold and vegetable colour. The Manjushree Thangka with Aparamita, White and Green Tara ($820) shows him seated on a lotus with the sword raised and the book on a flower at his shoulder, flanked below by the two Taras.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Manjushri (prajna and the youth name, the sword and book, the lion mount, the Swayambhu Purana lake legend, the Arapacana mantra and its popularity in Nepal)
• Durbar Square product listings (materials, finishes and prices)