Angkor, c. 11th-13th century
Sandstone
Gift of the John Young Foundation
John Young Museum of Art, 1998
(1998.1.83)
The figure at the center of this scene is possibly Vishvakarma, the divine architect of the universe. Connected with the forge, Vishvakarma creates the weapons for the gods, including Agni’s axe and Indra’s thunderbolts. Vishvakarma also appears in the Ramayana, one of the best-known Sanskrit epics. In this tale, Vishvakarma plays a significant role in the construction of Lanka, the home of the rakshasas (demons). In Khmer art Vishvakarma can either be holding an object reminiscent of a lotus bud or a danda (stick of command). In reliefs such as this one, Vishvakarma is typically depicted kneeling over a kala head at the center of a lintel.
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