Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The southern portion of the west gallery depicts a battle scene from the Hindu
Ma-
habharata
epic, in which the Kauravas (coming from the north) and the Pandavas (com-
ing from the south) advance upon each other, meeting in furious battle. Infantry are shown
on the lowest tier, with officers on elephants, and chiefs on the second and third tiers.
Some of the more interesting details (from left to right): a dead chief lying on a pile of ar-
rows, surrounded by his grieving parents and troops; a warrior on an elephant who, by
putting down his weapon, has accepted defeat; and a mortally wounded officer, falling
from his carriage into the arms of his soldiers. Over the centuries, some sections have
been polished (by the millions of hands that fall upon them) to look like black marble. The
portico at the southwestern corner is decorated with sculptures representing characters
from the
Ramayana
.
The Army of Suryavarman II
The remarkable western section of the south gallery depicts a triumphal battle march of
Suryavarman II's army. In the southwestern corner about 2m from the floor is Suryavar-
man II on an elephant, wearing the royal tiara and armed with a battleaxe; he is shaded by
15 parasols and fanned by legions of servants. Compare this image of the king and with
the image of Rama in the northern gallery and you'll notice an uncanny likeness that
helped reinforce the aura of the god-king.
Further on is a procession of well-armed soldiers and officers on horseback; among
them are bold and warlike chiefs on elephants. Just before the end of this panel is the
rather disorderly Siamese mercenary army, with their long headdresses and ragged march-
ing, at that time allied with the Khmers in their conflict with the Chams. The Khmer
troops have square breastplates and are armed with spears; the Thais wear skirts and carry
tridents.
The rectangular holes seen in the Army of Suryavarman II relief were created when, so
the story goes, Thai soldiers removed pieces of the scene containing inscriptions that re-
portedly gave clues to the location of the golden treasures of Suryavarman II, later buried
during the reign of Jayavarman VII.
BAS-RELIEF
Heaven & Hell
The eastern half of the south gallery depicts the punishments and rewards of the 37 heav-
ens and 32 hells. On the left, the upper and middle tiers show fine gentlemen and ladies
proceeding towards 18-armed Yama (the judge of the dead) seated on a bull; below him
are his assistants, Dharma and Sitragupta. On the lower tier, devils drag the wicked along
BAS-RELIEF
