Trikula Nath – Earthquake Series
Samundra Man Shrestha, 2018
Acrylic on canvas
366 × 183 cm (set of 3)

© Samundra Man Shrestha

The whole world changed within a fraction of second. Reaching a magnitude of 7.9, the devastating earthquake hit Nepal on 26 April 2015, killing and injuring thousands of people. Houses were reduced to rubble, temples, monasteries, and innumerable heritage sites embodying centuries old history were smashed to pieces. And yet this was not the end. Through mutual encouragement, and by declaring "We will rise again" we picked ourselves up and carried on. Words are not enough, however, and a great deal of restoration work remains to be done.

The fresco painted onto the cracked wall reflects the contemporary situation of Nepal, where a majority of historical monuments have yet to be restored. We must all contribute to the preservation and restoration of these treasures in whatever way we can. Great compassion, wisdom and the means to provide for all sentient beings are the three qualities of the fully enlightened mind. Here, compassion is personified in the figure of Sadaksari Lokesvara, who assists sentient beings in their path towards complete enlightenment. The belief is that by reciting his mantra Om MaNe PaDme Hum one can achieve great compassion and supreme Buddhahood.

Manjushree, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, holds in his left hand the stem of a lotus flower upon which rests the sacred scripture of Prajnaparamita – the teaching that helps one attain the perfection of wisdom. His right hand holds a flaming sword – the Chandrahas Khadga – symbolizing the instrument’s ability to cut off the root causes of ignorance and thus facilitating the victory of wisdom.

In Sanskrit, vajrapani means “thunderbolt or diamond in hand” (vajra – thunderbolt, pani – hand). Vajrapani protects Buddha and manifests all the Buddha’s powers, as well as the power of all five Tathagatas. Vajrapani is the protector and guide of Gautama Buddha and came to symbolize the Buddha’s power.