This beautiful brass statue was given to me by a friend and was purchased on a trip to India. He thought it was Tara, but I later discovered that this is an image of Ushnishavijaya, a very popular goddess in India, Nepal, and Tibet.

This triple-visaged Buddhist goddess is often described as a goddess of long life or as a goddess of spiritual practice.

The two hands in front of her heart hold a bell and lasso.

This hand holds the Buddha seated on a lotus flower.

With this hand she offers a gesture of protection.

In right and left hands she wields an arrow and bow.

At her belly she holds an vase filled with nectar.

With her outstretched hand she bestows her gifts.