Buddha protege par naga at The Guimet Museum, Paris, France

myminifactory

This sculpture of Buddha sitting in meditation on the naga Mucilinda represents a pivotal moment in Sakyamuni's life according to one interpretation. Lost in deep contemplation, he was about to be engulfed by the waters of Lake Anavatapta where Mucilinda resided, but the snake intervened by deploying multiple heads that appear here guarding the figure. Sitting atop the coiled body of the serpent, the Buddha appears serene and protected. Characterized by its hieratic style reminiscent of the 10th century and lavish ornamentation, this statue exemplifies the iconic style of Angkor Wat. The broad face set within a square frame presents an artificial morphology and stylized mask adorned with intricate patterns crossed by sharp, continuous brows. This depiction of Buddha shielded by the naga is an archetypal image in Cambodia, emerging at the beginning of the 10th century and subsequently becoming extremely popular in Angkorian statues. This representation holds great significance in Cambodia where the naga is deeply connected to the origins of the Khmer kingdom.