Inner Asia: The Art of Nepal II: Newar Buddhist Art
The lotus in the Guhyesvari shrine with the vase removed.
It is hard to overstate how fundamental this symbolism actually is. The
lotus diagram on the top of the Guhyesvari platform is considered to be
the symbol of the female organs of generation (i.e., the vagina and the
womb). It is from this orifice that the water of a natural spring emerges
(the water level can be seen in the actual photograph). Part of the rituals
connected with this site is that chicken eggs are placed into the hole,
and, at a culminating point in the ritual, the jajman (offerer) reaches
into the hole and tries to find an egg. We have met and discussed this
process with persons who have profoundly changed their world view as a result
of successful attempts to find the egg. The symbolism is that the jajman
reaches into the actual womb of Guhyesvari, and "discovers" an
egg, the Indic cultural symbol of cosmic origin. Nothing could be a more
profound "blessing" or prognostication of future well-being/prosperity/success.
