PRAJÑĀPARAMITĀ STATUE

Prajñāparamitā is the goddess of transcendental wisdom. She is depicted here, sitting cross legged on a double lotus pedestal, displaying the vajrasana posture. Her raised hands are put together, just below the chest, in a dharmacakra (turning the wheel of law) pose. On her left side is a relief carving of two lotuses, above one of which is a book, known as the Prajñāparamitā Sutra, the book of transcendental wisdom.
Prajñāparamitā is known as the sakti (consort) of the highest Buddha, in Mahāyāna Tantric Buddhism. She is wearing elaborate jewelry, reflective of her high standing as a goddess, which includes a sacred thread with a triple string of beads, necklaces, bracelets, rings and an ornamental crown, or head dress, called the Kirīţamakuţa (makuţa stands for crown). A long cloth (kain) with kawung (stylized flowers) motif covers her lower body, as well as parts of her crossed legs. A plain halo (sirascakra) emerges behind her head.
When it was discovered at the Singasari Temple complex in East Java, this exceptionally beautiful stone sculpture, was referred to, by the local population, as ‘Putri Dedes’, pointing to the famous Ken Dedes, wife of Ken Arok, the first King of Singasari.