Buddha Protected by Naga Muchalinda
Cambodia, 11th – 12th CE, sandstone
This statue’s size is roughly half of a normal human size. Another thing to note is that the statue is roughly symmetrical.
Left (left), back (center) and right (right) views of the statue
We can identify the centre figure in the statue by Buddha because of several characteristic: the body pose which is the sitting Buddha, the mudra hand gestures, top knot on his head, the elongated ears, the flowing robes (pants) and the fact that he has no jewellery on him. It is interesting to note that this Buddha is smiling.
Buddha is smiling
The creature on the back of Buddha is a Seven Headed Snake. As you can see at the picture the size of the heads differs. The top centre one is bigger than the rest and it is looking the same direction as the Buddha, whilst the others are looking towards the centre serpent head.
Closer detail of the serpent’s scales
The Buddha is sitting on the Seven Headed Snake’s body. The Seven Headed Snake’s body is coiled three times. The scales have been intricately carved to further emphasize that this creature is some type of lizard. The scales are also present at the back of the statue. This might accentuate the fact that this statue is supposed to be viewed 360-degree view (except for the bottom). Other that scales, on the chest and on the back of each of the serpent’s head we can see a circle motive which can be used to further identify the identity of this creature or perhaps it is used as decoration.
Closer detail of the serpent’s heads
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Selfie time! Oh look he’s smiling too!