Da Nang, Vietnam – The Marble Mountains

Article written January 25th, 2020 by Kyle Tortora

My first trip to Vietnam was in 1998. I was a 22 year old backpacker just out of college, exploring the country without a care or worry in my mind. Vietnam had the distinct smell of salt water and the aroma of food.  It’s as if their unmistakable flavor of fish sauce had permeated the air and surrounded you at every turn.  Twenty three years later it still has that same smell I remember which immediately took me back with nostalgia to my backpacking days.  

I came to Da Nang to visit my white marble statue maker, Lan, and her family. Da Nang is situated at the base of what is known as the marble mountains, a place famous for its abundance of quality, pure white marbles. Lan and I have worked together for 15 years.  She was the first artisan I worked with in Vietnam. Her entire family is involved in the business. Her brother operates the workshop, where all the statues are produced and her cousin, who is the master carver, is responsible for the faces and all the intricate details of the statues.  

All these years later I was still impressed with the quality of the Lan’s sculptures compared to that of other workshops in the area. Seeing her 22 foot Kwan Yin statue with my own eyes for the first time, I was completely blown away!  She has this gossamer, realistic quality where it looks as if her robes are made of pure silk gently swaying in the breeze.  The statue is so lifelike I found myself forgetting it was a 10,000 pound solid block of white marble.  Later that day I visited another workshop where I saw a large Kwan Yin statue carved by a different artist. It completely lacked the life and beauty inherent in Lan’s Kwan Yin sculpture. The Kwan Yin at Lan’s workshop is stunning and has that special untouchable something that makes a masterpiece a true masterpiece. 


 “She has this gossamer, realistic quality where it looks as if her robes are made of pure silk gently swaying in the breeze.  The statue is so lifelike I found myself forgetting it was a 10,000-pound solid block of white marble.”

By standing next to Kwan Yin and gazing up at her one can truly appreciate her immense beauty.

Sadly, I arrived the week before Tet or Chinese New Year and all the artists were on break. In planning my trip I knew about Tet and figured being there a week before would give me time to see the artists before the shops would close. I was very wrong, no one was working. I found the workers take off 2 weeks prior to Tet and then a month following.  Instead of hearing the incessant clinking sound of chisel on stone all I heard were birds chirping and wind blowing through the palm trees.  All the carvers had gone home to their villages to visit with family and friends. It is the equivalent of going to Europe in August when everyone flocks to Mediterranean beaches.  

Standing on top of a block of white marble where a God waits to be born.

One thing that I am always impressed, when I visit any stone worker, is seeing the raw block of stone they have yet to begin carving. Climbing over them you can appreciate their pure size and mass. The raw white marble blocks are massive, larger than any I have seen in India or Indonesia.  It is an amazing talent a stone artist has to visualize the god or goddess that is sleeping within the stone, waiting to be rendered by the hammer and chisel. But that is exactly what these artists do and I am amazed by it every time I see it.

Later in the day Lan and her brother took me to a beautiful seafood lunch on the beach and a leisurely stroll through the historic town of Hoi An for Vietnamese coffee.  For anyone visiting Vietnam, Hoi An is a must see.  Even though you are navigating your way through a maze of tourists it still has an old world charm visible through its tiny avenues and beautiful colonial architecture.  Walking around the old streets I appreciate knowing that I will be returning to this part of the world for the rest of my life.  I often think of how fortunate I am to be doing the work that I am doing…..today was one of those days.

7 Vishnu Mantras, Quotes, Hymns for Lord Vishnu

Vishnu is a part of the trinity and plays the role of the creator. He has taken ten incarnations to save the planet and the good people from the hands of evils or demons. There are many mantras to please Lord Vishnu.

Vishnu’s preserving, restoring, and protecting powers have been manifested in the world in a series of ten earthly incarnations known as avatars. The avatars arrive either to prevent a great evil or to effect good upon the earth. Nine are said to have descended already: three in nonhuman form, one in hybrid form and five in human form. The most important are Rama, fearless upholder of the law of dharma and Krishna, youthful hero of the Bhagavad Gita Vishnu’s final avatar is expected to arrive at a time when the earth is at the end of its present cycle, with the purpose of destroying the world and subsequently recreating it.

Vaishnavites, one of the largest Hindu groups, are the devotees of Vishnu as Ishvara, the Supreme Being, worshipped in the forms of his manifestations or incarnations. Because of his pervasive presence, images as the focus of worship are of great importance, as are temple architecture and carving.







1. Mukti (Liberation) mantra:

This twelve letter mantra is also known as the liberation mantras as it is believed to relieve the person who is chanting this mantra from all the hardships of life.

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”

Meaning: I bow to the Lord who lives in the hearts of all.


2. Shree Vishnu Mantra:

It is otherwise known as the shaanta-kaaram mantra. It is one of the most powerful mantra used to praise Lord Vishnu and his incarnations, which helped to restore peace and happiness.

shaanta-kaaram bhujaga-shayanam padma-naabham
suresham
vishwa-dhaaram gagana-sadrisham megha-varanam
shubhaangam.
lakshmi-kaantam kamala-nayanam yogi-bhi-dhyaana-
agamyam
vande vishnum bhava-bhaya-haram sarva-lokaika- naatham”

Meaning:
I sing praising the Lord Vishnu
Shaanta – He who has the peace
Kaaram- demeanor and visage
shayanam — He who sleeps and reposes
bhujaga– on the serpents
padma– He who has a lotus shaped
naabham– Navel
He who is the master and lord
Suresham– of all the gods

I pray to the Lord Vishnu.
dhaaram –He who holds the
vishwaa– universe in his hands.
sadrasham –He whose vision exceeds
gagana– beyond all the skies
varanam — He whose color and visage is
megha– changeable like the clouds
shubh– he who is filled with goodness
aangam– in every part of his body.

I sing praise to the Lord Vishnu.
kaantam — He who is the husband
lakshmi– of the goddess of wealth
He whose eyes (nayanam) are surreal
kamala– like a lotus flower
agamyam– he who yogis yearn to reach
dhyaana– through meditation

I sing praises (vande-) to the Lord Vishnu (-vishnum)
He who removes (-haram) all our fears (-bhaya)
bhava– due to our inborn nature
And he who is the master (-naatham) of the
entire (-sarva) universe and creation (-lokaika).


3. Narayana Mantra:

Simple, yet powerful mantra to please the preserver, Lord Vishnu.

“Om Namo Narayanaya

Meaning: I bow before the Almighty.


View this Brass Vishnu Laying On Ananta Sesha

4. The Ultimate mantra:

This mantra depicts about the avatars of Lord Vishnu, He has taken to save the world from evils.

Om shreem krishnaya shreem
shreem shreem govindaya gopalaya goloka
sundaraya sathyaya nithyaya paramathmane paraya
vykhanasaya vyrajamoorthaye
meghathmane shreem narasimhavapushe namah

Chanting this mantra for 91 days ensures maximum protection for you.


5. Sloka on Sri Vishnu

“Kaayena Vaacaa Manase[a-I]ndriyairvaa
Buddhy[i]-Aatmanaa Vaa Prakrteh Svabhaavaat
Karomi Yad-Yat-Sakalam Parasmai
Naaraayannayeti Samarpayaami”

Meaning: Whatever actions I perform, by body, mind, senses or intellect. I surrender them at the feet of Sri Narayana.


6.

“Shuklam Baradharam Vishnum
Shukla-Ambara-Dharam Vissnnum Shashi-Varnnam Catur-Bhujam
Prasanna-Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva-Vighno[a-U]pashaantaye”

Meaning: I Meditate on Sri Vishnu, Who is Wearing White Clothes, Who is All-Pervading, Who is Bright in Appearance like the Moon and who is Having Four Hands. He is having a Compassionate and Gracious Face, Let us meditate on Him to Ward of all impediments.


7. Vishnu Sahasranama:

This prayer contains the 108 names of the Lord Vishnu and is believed to relieve people from all sin and sufferings.

Om Vishnave Namah
Om Lakshmi Pathaye Namah
Om Krishnaya Namah
Om Vaikuntaaya Namah
Om Garuda Dhvajaya Namah
Om Parah Brahmane Namah
Om Jagannathaya Namah
Om Vaasudevaya Namah
Om Trivikramaya Namah
Om Dhydhyaanthakaaya Namah
Om Madhuribhave Namah
Om Dhaarshyavahaaya Namah
Om Sanaadhanaaya Namah
Om Narayanaya Namah
Om Padmanabhaya Namah
Om Hrishikeshaya Namah
Om Sudhapradhaya Namah
Om Haraye Namah
Om Pundarikakshaya Namah
Om Siddhidhikarthre Namah
Om Paraathparaya Namah
Om Vanamaline Namah
Om Yagnaroopaya Namah
Om Chakrapanye Namah
Om Gadhadhraya Namah
Om Upendraya Namah
Om Keshavaya Namah
Om Hamsaaya Namah
Om SamudraMadhanaya Namah
Om Haraye Namah
Om Govindaya Namah
Om Prahmajankaya Namah
Om KaitabasuraMardhanaya Namah
Om Sridharaya Namah
Om Kaamajakaaya Namah
Om Seshaya Namah
Om Chadhurbhujaya Namah
Om Paanchajanyadharaaya Namah
Om SriMathe Namah
Om Shaarangapanaye Namah
Om Janardhanaya Namah
Om Pitambharadharaya Namah
Om Devaya Namah
Om SuryaChandraVilochanaya Namah
Om MatsyaRoopaya Namah
Om Kurmathanave Namah
Om Krodharoopaya Namah
Om Nrukesarine Namah
Om Vaamanaaya Namah
Om Bhaargavaaya Namah
Om Raamaya Namah
Om Haline Namah
Om Kalkine Namah
Om Hayaananaaya Namah
Om Viswambaraya Namah
Om Simsumaaraya Namah
Om Srikharaaya Namah
Om Kapilaaya Namah
Om Dhruvaaya Namah
Om Dattatreyaya Namah
Om Achyutaya Namah
Om Anantaaya Namah
Om Mukundhaaya Namah
Om Dhidhivaamanaaya Namah
Om Dhanvantraye Namah
Om Srinivasaya Namah
Om Pradyumnaya Namah
Om Purushothamaya Namah
Om Srivathkausthubhadhraaya Namah
Om Muraradhaye Namah
Om Adhoshjaaya Namah
Om Rushabhaya Namah
Om MohanaroopaDharine Namah
Om Sangarshanaaya Namah
Om Prithave Namah
Om Sheerabdhisaayene Namah
Om Bhoodhathmane Namah
Om Anirudhaaya Namah
Om Bhakthavatsalaaya Namah
Om Naraaya Namah
Om GajendraVaradaaya Namah
Om Thridhamne Namah
Om Bhoothabhavanaaya Namah
Om Svetavaasdhavyaaya Namah
Om SuryamandalaMadhyakaaya Namah
Om SanakathiMunithyeyaaya Namah
Om Bhagavathe Namah
Om SankaraPriyaya Namah
Om Neelakanthaya Namah
Om Tharakaanthaaya Namah
Om Vedathmane Namah
Om Bhadhraayanaaya Namah
Om BhagirathiJanmaBhoomiPaadaPadmaaya Namah
Om Stham Prabhave Namah
Om Svabhave Namah
Om Vibhave Namah
Om KanakaShyamaaya Namah
Om Jagadhkaaranaaya Namah
Om Avyayaaya Namah
Om Buddhavadharaaya Namah
Om Shaanthathmane Namah
Om Krisoth Namah
Om Leelamaanusha Vigrahaaya Namah
Om Damodharaaya Namah
Om Viraataroopaaya Namah
Om Bhoodhabhavyabhavath Prabhave Namah
Om Aadi Devaaya Namah
Om Deva Devaaya Namah
Om Prahladha Paripalakhaya Namah
Om shree parama visnu devaya namaha






View All Our Mantras to Hindu Gods
including English and Sanskrit translations

10 Kali Mantras15 Saraswati Mantras4 Ganesha Mantras
6 Murugan Mantras8 Krishna Mantras7 Hanuman Mantras
3 Lakshmi Mantras8 Vishnu Mantras5 Shiva Mantras

Lord Ram – the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Bronze Lord Ram Set with Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman
Bronze Lord Ram Set with Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman

Shri Ram is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is one of the most worshiped deity by Hindus in India. Diwali, the festival of lights, is probably the most celebrated and biggest festival, and is observed by Hindus, Buddhist, Jain’s and Sikhs, commemorates Lord Ram’s victory over the demon king, Ravan, and the return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.

Purpose of the incarnation: The purpose of incarnation of Vishnu was to slay the demon Ravan, the king of Lanka. Ravan acquired a boon from Lord Brahma, which made him invincible and indestructible by Devas (The Gods) or Asuras (The demons). The sages were put into great misery and hardship by this demon and it became necessary to put an end to his reign, this lead lord Vishnu to to the earth as a man as only a human can slay the demon Ravan.

Sri Ram: According to the great epic Ramayan, Ram was born in Treta Yug (era), as the son of Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya. Dasharatha had three wives and four sons, Ram being the eldest and his mother was Kaushalya. He was an ideal son, and idol of chivalry, prowess and virtue. Ram and his brother, Lakshman grew up to the princely stature and became masters of all weapons under the guidance of the great sage Viswamitra. In the mean time, Ram got married to Sita, daughter of Janaka, the princess of Mithila, and Lakshman marries Urmila, sister of Sita. Dasharatha was planning for the coronation of Rama as the king of Ayodhya, but he was in extreme agony, when this idea was strongly objected by Kaikeyi, one of his wives, as she wanted her son, Bharath to become the king. She also demanded that Ram must not enter the kingdom without completing 14 years of exile.

Bronze Hanuman statue friend of lord Rama
View all our Lord Hanuman Statues

Exile: Knowing the demands of his step-mother, Ram agreed to go for the exile and ignoring his contempt Lakshman and Sita joins him. Even though, Urmila wanted to accompany her husband, Lakshman. However, Lakshman refuses the wish and assigns her to take care of his parents. Though disappointed, the broad minded Urmila accepts her husband’s orders and stays back to look after the old in-laws. During the period of exile, Ram meets Lord Hanuman, the great monkey, who is a true devotee of Ram. During his exile, Lord Hanuman protected the Saints from the vindictive actions of the demons.

During the exile, Ram settled in a calm and beautiful place, Panchavadi and lived a happy life. In the mean time, Surpanakha, the sister of Ravan, meets the charming brothers and becomes so attracted to Ram and proposes to marry him. Ram denies the request, and asks her to propose his brother, who is alone without a wife. Surpanakha follows Ram’s advice, but Lakshman rejects her, and this makes her angry. The outraged demon tries to harm Sita as she considers Sita to be the obstacle that prevents her from getting the love of Ram. Ram saved Sita and asks Lakshman to teach Surpanakha a lesson. Lakshman attacked her with his sword causing injuries to her nose and breast.

Disgraced and mutilated, Surpanaka, thirsty to take revenge, complains to her brother about the attack and how she was insulted by the two handsome princes. Ravan came to know about the immense love Ram had for Sita and this made the clever Ravan think of separating Sita from Ram, as Ram will not be able to bear the departure of his love. Ravan in his golden chariot reaches the ashram of Maricha and seeks his help to work out his plan. Maricha first denies the request for help from Ravan, but coming under the pressure of his king, finally he agrees to help him. Maricha gets killed by Ram, during the abduction, while Ravana succeeds in kidnapping Sita away from the ashram.

Ravan was much enchanted by the beauty of Sita, and pleaded her to marry him. However, Sita denied the powerful demon. She was taken to Lanka, where she spent her days alone in her beloved memories and wept. Ram was so desperate, and began to search for Sita everywhere. Finally he meets Jedayu, who witnessed the cruel act of Ravan. Jedayu reveals Ram that she was taken to Lanka in a flying golden chariot. With the help of Hanuman and army of monkeys, Ram constructs a floating bridge “Ram Setu” to Lanka and reaches Lanka to regain his kidnapped wife. After a ferocious war, which lasted for many days, ended with the carnage of Ravan, and Ram got his wife back, safe and sound.

Return to Ayodhya: After 14 years of exile, Ram, Sita along with Lakshman reaches Ayodhya and resumes the throne, as per the wish of Bharath, who was ruling the empire on behalf of Ram. The death of Ravan restored peace and happiness to the world. People began to worship Ram and it still continues. You can find a lot of temples around the world where Ram is the main idol of devotion.

You can easily identify statues of Lord Rama.  He is always depicted in a standing position, with a bow and arrow in his left and right hands respectively. He always carries a quiver on the back and is normally accompanied by Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman. He will be always be wearing princely adornments.

Ram and Sita started to live a happy life again, but the fate was cruel to Sita, as the people of Ayodhya began to talk ill about her. Ram who was an ideal ruler, felt unhappy to know that his people doubt about the innocence of his wife. Finally, he decides to leave Sita, even though she proves her loyalty in the fire ordeal.

Even though, Sita was so devoted and loyal to Ram, she had to live a lonely life. Urmila is often considered as a forgotten heroine since no one values her sacrifice as she sacrificed her valuable 14 years away from her husband for the sake of Ram and Sita.

After reviewing all these points, whom can we consider as the real leading lady – Sita or Urmila?

King Jayavarman VII Builder of Angkor Wat

Cambodian King Jayavarman VII Statue 37"
Click here to view this stunning statue of Cambodian King Jayavarman VII Statue 37″

With regards to the arts, King Jayavarman VII was responsible for the construction of numerous temples in the Angkor region and in other provinces. King Jayavarman VII was further championed as the greatest king of Angkor for liberating and unifying the country. His legacy lives on today as many of the structures remaining today within Angkor Wat were built during his reign. At the center of Angkor Thom is the Bayon Temple, famous for its distinct 50 towers, each bearing the large faces of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshavara on all four sides. These faces are thought to be copied from the actual face of King Jayavarman VII, whose smiles are so gentle that it is often referred to as the Khmer smile. This great king was a devout Buddhist of the Mahayana sect.

Create Your Own Clay Ganesh Statue for Ganesh Chathuri

“Wishing you happiness as big as Ganesh’s appetite
Life as long as his trunk
Trouble as small as his mouse
And moments as sweet as his laddus”

Ganesh made of clay
Clay Ganesh for Ganesh Chathuri

The celebration of the birthday of Lord Ganesh is right around the corner, to be held on September 19, 2012. Preparations are underway for the Ganesh festival and many devotees are opting to make their own, eco-friendly, clay Ganesh statues at home. Ganesh Chathuri, a day filled with public celebrations and home worship, lasts for ten days, and ends with a Ganesh idol immersion. The water immersion ceremony during Chathuri is called Ganesh Visarjana (Sanskrit for ‘departure’). Clay images of Ganesh are ceremoniously dissolved in the ocean or other bodies of water, signifying Ganesh’s withdrawal into all-pervasive consciousness. Hindus believe that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on earth this day, and worshiping him will bring prosperity, good fortune, and fulfillment of desires.

To start a new tradition, with family or friends, create your own clay idol at home. The Ganesh statue does not have to be perfect, just be proud of your idol, enjoy the process and have faith.

“Let all the peace, all the light, all the goodness which the Deity inspires, become part of the parcel of your being.”

Materials Needed:
1. Modeling clay – ready-to-use, moist clay found at any craft store
2. Rolling pin
3. Base for your statue – wooden board is preferred, as it doesn’t stick
4. Exacto knife or sharp-pointed pencil
5. Aluminum foil
6. Paints, glitter, white thread for the poonal or Jandhyam (optional)

Instructions:
1. Separate your clay into sections to represent Ganesh’s body, head, legs, arms, ears and trunk
2. Roll out the largest section of clay into a thin sheet and use it to cover a ball of aluminum foil. This will represent Ganesh’s body and bulbous belly.
3. Roll smaller balls of clay to make his head, ears and trunk. Attach his head to the body – using a lot of water to paste and shape.
4. Make two clay horseshoe-shapes. Use for his legs – cross legs at base of Ganesh for lotus posture. Use another horseshoe-shape to use as arms and attach to body at shoulder level. Form the arms so they adjust at elbows with right angles; the right hand palm turned up.
5. For the ears, make two flat coin-like structures and attach to head.
6. Roll out clay for his trunk and keep it in proportion of his body. The trunk should be wider at top, and narrows down to curve halfway down to his waist. Smooth and add the ‘three patte’ lines on the trunk and forehead with a knife or pencil.
7. To finish, knead, smooth and shape the entire clay idol. Use a Ganesh sculpture or image as a reference guide.
8. Wait until Ganesh is completely dried and paint, use glitter, beads or various accessories.

Please feel free to email photos of your home-made Ganesh clay sculptures to [email protected]. Lotus Sculpture would love to share your creations or helpful hints.

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