Newa: arts are complex but meaningful. They are also ageless. They have plenty of fascinating symbols and stories to offer to the genuinely serious students of arts. A very interesting example is that of
Chepu. Looking very dreadful and demonic, this mythical creature is a very common sight specially on the tympanum tops of the
Newari temple doorways. Though it may look odd it has a fasinating story attached to it.
Long ago, the Kathmandu Valley was only a huge lake inhabited by the countless number of aquatic animals. The majority of them were the nagas (serpents). So this valley was also known as
Naga Daha, meaning the "Home of the Serpents'.
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| KTM Valley |
One day Manjushree Bodhisattva (a Buddhist god from China) came to visit this valley. He liked the valley. He liked the valley so much that he wanted to make a beautiful town out of it . With this intention he immediately cut through the southern hill of the valley with one stroke of this his legendary sword (chandrahara) and drained off the water. This compelled all the inhabitants of the lake to leave, as they could not do anything against the almighty Manjushree.
But a creature called Chhepu stayed put. When by his yogic power Manjushree sensed that there was someone still hidden somewhere under the remnant of the lake, he commanded the latter to leave the water instantly. Chhepu was terrified when he saw that he could not go against the power of Manjushree. So he said he would leave the lake if Manjushree would promise not to look at his horrible feature when he moved out of the lake. According to the promise, Manjushree closed his eyes and Chhepu prepared to come out of the water. As the fear-stricken creature pushed half of his ugly body above the surface, Manjushree could not help but open eyes stealthily, out of curiosity.
When Chhepu saw Manjushree open his eyes, he got so upset that he quickly dived back deep under the water to hide himself again. Manjushree, ashamed of breaking his promise, soon negotiated with Chhepu assuring him that he would never bother again to seen by anyone). He also promised that he would allow himto occupy a very significant place in the holy temples of Nepal (he was going to build up soon in the valley) and remain there half-hidden forever.
This story seems to explain a lot about our architectural tradition of showing only half of Chhepu's body above the tympanums of the temple doorways. Whether this mythical story contains any grain of truth or not matters the least. What counts in the cultural value it reflects and the artistic fascination it leaves for one and all to understand and appreciate.
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| Manjushree |
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| Manjushree Sword |
-Niraj Man Singh
william.newrose@gmail.com
07 Aug,2013
Kirtipur-3, Kathmandu Nepal
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