Melody Rod-ari A temple with a lost name

Essay by Dr. Melody Rod-ari https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/cambodia-

art/a/angkor-wat

Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Wat,
translated from Khmer (the official language of Cambodia) literally means “City Temple.” As far as
names go this is as generic as it gets. Angkor Wat was not the original name given to the temple when it
was built in the 12th century. We have little knowledge of how this temple was referred to during the time
of its use, as there are no extant texts or inscriptions that mention the temple by name—this is quite
incredible if we consider the fact that Angkor Wat is the greatest religious construction project in
Southeast Asia.
A possible reason why the temple’s original name may have never been documented is that it was such an
important and famous monument that there was no need to refer to it by its name. We have several
references to the king who built the temple, King Suryavarman II (1113-1145/50 C.E.), and events that
took place at the temple, but no mention of its name.

Historical Context
Angkor Wat is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu who is one of the three principal gods in the Hindu
pantheon (Shiva and Brahma are the others). Among them he is known as the “Protector.” The major
patron of Angkor Wat was King Suryavarman II, whose name translates as the “protector of the sun.”
Many scholars believe that Angkor Wat was not only a temple dedicated to Vishnu but that it was also
intended to serve as the king’s mausoleum in death.

Angkor Wat. Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1116-1150 (photo: Benjamin Jakabek, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The construction of Angkor Wat likely began in the year 1116 C.E.—three years after King Suryavarman
II came to the throne—with construction ending in 1150, shortly after the king’s death. Evidence for these
dates comes in part from inscriptions, which are vague, but also from the architectural design and artistic
style of the temple and its associated sculptures.
The building of temples by Khmer kings was a means of legitimizing their claim to political office and
also to lay claim to the protection and powers of the gods. Hindu temples are not a place for religious
congregation; instead; they are homes of the god. In order for a king to lay claim to his political office he

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had prove that the gods did not support his predecessors or his enemies. To this end, the king had to build
the grandest temple/palace for the gods, one that proved to be more lavish than any previous temples. In
doing so, the king could make visible his ability to harness the energy and resources to construct the
temple, and assert that his temple was the only place that a god would consider residing in on earth.
The building of Angkor Wat is likely to have necessitated some 300,000 workers, which included
architects, construction workers, masons, sculptors and the servants to feed these workers. Construction
of the site took over 30 years and was never completely finished. The site is built entirely out of stone,
which is incredible as close examination of the temple demonstrates that almost every surface is treated
and carved with narrative or decorative details.

Carved Bas Reliefs of Hindu Narratives

There are 1,200 square meters of carved bas reliefs at Angkor Wat, representing eight different Hindu
stories. Perhaps the most important narrative represented at Angkor Wat is the Churning of the Ocean of
Milk(below), which depicts a story about the beginning of time and the creation of the universe. It is also
a story about the victory of good over evil. In the story, devas (gods) are fighting the asuras (demons) in
order reclaim order and power for the gods who have lost it. In order to reclaim peace and order, the elixir
of life (amrita) needs to be released from the earth; however, the only way for the elixir to be released is
for the gods and demons to first work together. To this end, both sides are aware that once the amrita is
released there will be a battle to attain it.

Churning of the Ocean of Milk (detail), Angkor Wat. Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1116-1150

The relief depicts the moment when the two sides are churning the ocean of milk. In the detail above you
can see that the gods and demons are playing a sort of tug-of-war with the Naga or serpent king as their
divine rope. The Naga is being spun on Mt. Mandara represented by Vishnu (in the center). Several things
happen while the churning of milk takes place. One event is that the foam from the churning
produces apsaras or celestial maidens who are carved in relief throughout Angkor Wat (we see them here
on either side of Vishnu, above the gods and demons). Once the elixir is released, Indra (the Vedic god
who is considered the king of all the gods) is seen descending from heaven to catch it and save the world
from the destruction of the demons.

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Angkor Wat as Temple Mountain

Angkor Wat. Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1116-1150//

Gallery, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1116-1150 (photo: fmpgoh, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

n aerial view of Angkor Wat demonstrates that the temple is made up of an expansive enclosure wall,
which separates the sacred temple grounds from the protective moat that surrounds the entire complex
(the moat is visible in the photograph at the top of the page). The temple proper is comprised of three
galleries (a passageway running along the length of the temple) with a central sanctuary, marked by five
stone towers.

The five stone towers are intended to mimic the five mountain ranges of Mt. Meru—the mythical home of
the gods, for both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple mountain as an architectural design was invented in
Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian architects quite literally envisioned temples dedicated to Hindu gods on
earth as a representation of Mt. Meru. The galleries and the empty spaces that they created between one
another and the moat are envisioned as the mountain ranges and oceans that surround Mt. Meru. Mt.
Meru is not only home to the gods, it is also considered an axis-mundi. An axis-mundi is a cosmic or
world axis that connects heaven and earth. In designing Angkor Wat in this way, King Suryavarman II
and his architects intended for the temple to serve as the supreme abode for Vishnu. Similarly, the
symbolism of Angkor Wat serving as an axis mundi was intended to demonstrate the Angkor Kingdom’s
and the king’s central place in the universe. In addition to envisioning Angkor Wat as Mt. Meru on earth,
the temple’s architects, of whom we know nothing, also ingeniously designed the temple so that
embedded in the temple’s construction is a map of the cosmos (mandala) as well as a historical record of
the temple’s patron.

Angkor Wat as a Mandala

According to ancient Sanskrit and Khmer texts, religious monuments and specifically temples must be
organized in such a way that they are in harmony with the universe, meaning that the temple should be
planned according to the rising sun and moon, in addition to symbolizing the recurrent time sequences of
the days, months and years. The central axis of these temples should also be aligned with the planets, thus
connecting the structure to the cosmos so that temples become spiritual, political, cosmological,

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astronomical and geo-physical centers. They are, in other words, intended to represent microcosms of the
universe and are organized as mandalas—diagrams of the universe.

Angkor Wat Divinity Today?

Today, the Cambodian flag has emblazoned on it the silhouette of Angkor Wat. The only country in the
world that has a Hindu temple as a national emblem. Angkor Wat continues to play an important role in
Cambodia even though most of the population is now Buddhist. Since the 15th century, Buddhists have
used the temple and visitors today will see, among the thousands of visitors, Buddhist monks and nuns
who worship at the site. Angkor Wat has also become an important symbol for the Cambodian nation.

REPRODUCED here is an excellent easy by Stefan Andrews 2017

Locals believed that the Angkor Wat temple was constructed in a single night by a divine architect
For centuries, travelers and explorers were captivated by the beauty of the Angkor Wat, and they mostly
reported on the mysterious site. One of the most interesting accounts come from the Chinese traveler
Zhou Daguan , who was sent as a diplomat under the Emperor Chengzong of Yuan of China. Zhou had
arrived at the temple complex in August 1296 and remained at the court of King Indravarman III, until
July 1297.
Zhou’s insights on the life and times of the early Angkor Wat are noted in “The Customs of Cambodia” a
book written during his diplomatic visit. He writes about the fascinating customs, religious practices and
the role of women and slaves in this society. According to some of the unusual tales, he had also reported,
it was believed by some, that the temple was constructed in a single night by a divine architect.

Suryavarman II in procession at the Angkor Wat, the Khmer King who had built the Angkor Wat in the early 12th century as
the capital of the Khmer Empire and as his state temple and eventual mausoleum/ RIGHT French postcard about Angkor
Wat in 1911.

Zhou would write on the Royal Palace, “Official buildings and homes of the aristocracy, including the
Royal Palace, face the east. The Royal Palace stands north of the Golden Tower and the Bridge of Gold: it
is one and a half mile in circumference. The titles of the main dwelling are of lead. Other dwellings are
covered with yellow-coloured pottery tiles. Carved or painted Buddhas decorate all the immense columns
and lintels. The roofs are impressive too. Open corridors and long colonnades, arranged in harmonious
patterns, stretch away on all sides.”

He also depicts the royal procession of Indravarman III, descendant of the Angkor Wat creator, “When
the King goes out, troops are at the head of [his] escort; then come flags, banners, and music. Palace
women, numbering from three to five hundred, wearing flowered cloth, with flowers in their hair, hold
candles in their hands, and form a troupe. Even in broad daylight, the candles are lighted.”

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The Chinese diplomat further describes how the King and the women of Angkor looked. Only the ruler
was able to be dressed in clothes that had an all-over floral design. The King also wore about three
pounds of Photo pearls around his neck, and gold bracelets and rings all set with cat’s eyes at his wrists,
ankles, and fingers. At public appearances, he would always hold a sword made of gold.

The Customs of Cambodia, an account by Zhou Daguan of his travel in Cambodia in the late 13th century./ 1870 photograph
by Émile Gsell, a French photographer who worked in Southeast Asia. Photo credit

View of central galleries and towers of Angkor Wat, Siam (now in Cambodia), 1866. Photography work by Émile Gsell.

Zhou continues on the processions, “Ministers and princes are mounted on elephants, and in front of
them one can see, from afar, their innumerable red umbrellas. After them, come the wives and concubines
of the King, in palanquins, carriages, on horseback, and on elephants. They have more than a hundred
parasols, flecked with gold. Behind them comes the sovereign, standing on an elephant, holding his
sacred sword in his hand. The elephant’s tusks are encased in gold.”
Last but not least, according to the diplomat, the trading tasks with foreigners at the Angkor were
performed by women. Zhou would additionally note that women aged very quickly. His remarks on the

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reasons were that, “because they marry and give birth when too young. When they are twenty or thirty
years old, they look like Chinese women who are forty or fifty.”

Zhou’s depictions are considered accurate, although scholars had identified inaccuracies. For instance, he
describes the Hindu religious devotees in Chinese terms as Confucians or Daoists, which would be
wrong. The measurements he also provided about the length of the temples and their distance in the
complex are not accurate either. However, the accounts can help us vividly recreate in our minds what life
at the Angkor Wat was like at the end of the 13th century.
When the first Westerners arrived at the site, they were astonished at the sight of it. A Portuguese monk
António da Madalena, deemed among the first to arrive at Angkor Wat in 1586, would say that the place
“is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it
is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the
human genius can conceive of.”
However, the Angkor Wat will become more familiar in the West during the mid 19th century when the
site was visited by the French naturalist and explorer Henri Mouhot. In his travel notes, he would glorify
the complex by writing: “One of these temples—a rival to that of Solomon, and erected by some ancient
Michelangelo—might take an honorable place beside our most beautiful buildings. It is grander than
anything left to us by Greece or Rome, and presents a sad contrast to the state of barbarism in which the
nation is now plunged.”

Facade of Angkor Wat, a drawing by Henri Mouhot, c. 1860. RIGHT Group portrait of Doudart de Lagrée and other members of the
“Commission d’ exploration du Mékong,” Angkor Wat, Siam (now in Cambodia), 1866. Photography work by Emile Gsell.

In between the visits of the Portuguese monk and the French naturalist, life at the Angkor Wat had
notably diminished. Reportedly, by the 17th century, the complex was not completely abandoned but had
still functioned as a Buddhist temple. Fourteen inscriptions dated from that period and discovered in the
nearby area, affirm that it was Japanese Buddhist pilgrims who had established small settlements along
the local Khmers. In those days, the Angkor Wat was in fact mistaken by the Japanese to be a famed
Jetavana garden situated in India; a place where the Buddha had given the majority of his teachings.
It was a challenge for researchers to piece together the history of the monumental site accurately.
Eventually, they did so through clearing and restoration work on the whole complex. It was unusual that
there was an absence of ordinary dwellings or signs of other settlements. There were no tools for cooking,
weapons, or clothes whatsoever, typically found at other ancient sites. It was only the monuments. The
restorations took place during the 20th century and focused mostly on the removal of concentrated earth
and vegetation.
Some serious casualties at the Angkor Wat had followed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when art
thieves, mostly operating out of Thailand, had claimed almost every head that could be chopped off the
structures, including reconstructions.

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To date, the complex remains a powerful symbol of Cambodia and a reason for great national pride which
had also determined the country’s diplomatic moves towards other countries, such as France or Thailand
in the past. The imposing legacy of the Angkor and other sites of the Khmer empire in the region had
been the reason for France to adopt Cambodia under a protectorate in 1863, thus trespassing territories
controlled by the Siamese (Thai), and taking charge of the ruins. The events then led Cambodia to quickly
reclaim the lands in the northwest of the country which had been under the Siamese for several centuries.

In https://www.iskconcambodia.com/2014/05/23/reconnected-to-the-devine-protector/ it is said:

Angkor is the place where the majestic power of divinity existed, and this existed by the presence
of Devas (Demigods), Brahmins (priest), Rajas (the kings). All those personalities are
considered to be the divine representatives, they possessed great knowledge and power, and
detachment. But it changed over a period of time, according to story there were many kings, and
each of them having faith in different philosophy, two prominent philosophies were followed, by
the Kings i.e Shaivism or Vaisnavaism, and later on Buddhism; Mahayana and Theravada.. We
understand from vedic scriptures that those personalities like Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu and Lord
Bhudha are not ordinary personalities; they are the Supreme authorities of the Absolute truth.
So any king who runs the society based on the teachings of the Lord, can bring the happiness to
the citizens.

Gunaavataradasa from the YasodapuraAsrham, Cambodia further writes and I quote ad betbatim:
( edited and shortened by me)
During ancient times the King was advised by qualified brahmanas to rule the kingdom.
Let us see what was happening thousands of years ago in the land of Angkor. Back to nine
century, the founder of Kingdom Angkor JayavarmanII (r.802-34) after returning from Java he
engaged his military men to build the temple in Kulen mountain where he installed and
worshiped sacred linga representing Lord Shiva, and he held the ceremony to establish himself
as the Divine King (Devaraja) (Along the royal road to Angkor, pgh. 164). Jayavarman II seems
to have great mission to protect the people and the land, he then took the responsibility to
establish the Kingdom, at the same time he realized that without the help of divine power of the
Lord, nothing could be done, so with full faith he started worshiping the linga of Lord Siva,
submitting to serve as the King and representative of the divine energy of the Lord. The Lord
satisfied with his worship and empowered him to rule the kingdom as His representative,
because the Lord also pleased the entire kingdom flourished with the prosperity.

Later on the king Indravarman I also built several temples around Roluos, dedicated to Lord Siva
and his bull Nandi. Yasovarman I (r. 889-910) built the first Royal Capital near Angkor area,
Yasodharapura, and on the top of Bhakeng Hill he built the temple and worshiped Lord Shiva
Linga. Few other kings followed in establishing temples in different places, expanding the
territory, and maintaining the water system for the agriculture. Kings were also responsible for
the welfare, and the prosperity. Traditionally agriculture was the divine way to prosper in the
kingdom, followed by trade as well. And all agriculture produce first should be offered to the
divine deities in the temple by the priest, for the benefit of every one, by this system every
activity of the citizens was always connected to divine Lord.

Different names of demigods also was well known to the citizens of Angkor, we can see at the
gate of the temple there is churning of the ocean of milk, and very big statue of 45 demigods in

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one side and demons on other side. Many carvings of demigods such as Indra, Varuna, Surya,
Chandra, are seen on the wall of temple. The demigods are also the living beings, who are
residing in heavenly planets to serve the Supreme Lord in assisting different universal affairs,
like Lord Indra in charge of rain, Lord Chandra in charge of the moon light, Lord Varuna in
charge of the ocean and so on. The activities of the citizens also should be connected with the
demigods, because according to scriptures the demigods, kings, priest and the citizen should
corporate with each other to satisfy the Supreme Lord,
devanbhavayatanena
te deva bhavayantuvaù
parasparaàbhavayantaù
çreyaùparamavapsyatha

The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you, and thus, by cooperation
between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all. (Bg 3.11)
Co operation between men and demigods is needed to manage the social and spiritual affairs, so
that Lord will spread his mercy and divine protection to every living entity, and to bring
prosperity in the kingdom.

The peak of the Angkor Kingdom is in twelve-thirteen century. In 1113, Suryavarman II built the
Angkor Wat dedicated to Lord Visnu, Suryavarman II is the Vaisnava King. He built the biggest
Vishnu temple in the world. There are so many carvings of Lord Krishna, who is the supreme
absolute truth, He is the supreme controller, He is the cause of all causes. Krishna is all
attractive. Parasara muni gives definition to Bhagavan as one who posses knowledge, power,
wealth, fame, beauty, renunciation in complete, He is the supreme divine. On the wall galleries
of temple there are many stories of Krishna, Krishna killing Kamsa, Krishna holding the
Govardhana Hill, Krishna lila with the Kaliya Naga,killing of bull Aristha, and in the
Mahabaratha story Krishna becoming the Chariot driver of Arjuna. (Ancient Angkor,
18).Jayavarman II has constructed the temple walls depicting pastimes of the Krishna in Angkor
Wat, since then up until now we cannot count how many visited the temple and heard about
Krishna. All this happened by the divine work of Suryavarman II. Without doubt that
Suryawarman worshiped Lord Vishnu and Supreme Lord Krishna, His kingdom got the special
mercy, Kingdom flourished for quit long time. Even though as the age of kali progressing
Angkor Wat is famous in the entire world.

The general mass of people during Angkor time know to worship the trinity gods, example Lord
Shiva or Lord Vishnu, but later on they started worshiping many demigods, and trinity of god as
Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. We understand that in the age of Kali, the
knowledge about Supreme personality of Godhead is disappearing, when the parampara is
missing, knowledge about absolute truth is also missing, according to the vedic scriptures like
Srimad Bhagavatham, those trinity of Lords is known as GunaAvatara, the controllers of three
modes of Material nature, i.e. Lord Vishnu is the controller of mode of goodness, Lord Brahma
is the controller of mode of passion and Lord Shiva is controller of the mode of ignorance, that
way people who are in mode of goodness used take shelter of Lord Vishnu, and those who are in
passion and ignorance will take shelter to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva respectively, Lord
Brahma praises in Brahma samhita that Krishna is the Supreme controller.

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 isvarahparamahkrsnah
sat-cit-anandavigrahah
anadiradirgovindah
sarva-karanakaranam

“There are many personalities possessing the qualities of Bhagavän, but Krishna is the supreme
because none can excel Him. He is the Supreme Person, and His body is eternal, full of
knowledge and bliss. He is the primeval Lord Govinda and the cause of all causes.” (Brahma-
samhita 5.1) and Sri Vishnu is the full expansion of Lord Krishna in this material world, so
Krishna is actually the original Vishnu.

After Suryavarman II passed away, then Jayavarman VII (r. 1181-c.1220) became the king, He
was great follower of Mahayana Buddhism, he was kind and compassion so he built one hundred
hospitals and twenty one resting places. Javavarman VII built the capital of Angkor Thom, with
Bayon temple in the center. Bayon is distinguished by its fifty towers with huge face of
bodhisattva Availokiteshvara. ) (Along the royal road to Angkor, pgh. 166) the King was
worshiper of Mayayana Buddhism,. So Jayavarman VII obtained all his power by practicing
Buddhism. Most of the citizens influenced by king also followed and became Buddhists, but
during the time of Jayavarman VII he never attacked Vaisnavas, or Shaivaites, during that time
also some brahmanas lived peacefully by worshiping Lord Vishnu in Angkor wat, and in some
other temples by worshiping Lord Shiva. Jayavarman VII protected and respected all of them.
Acording to Bhagavad gita, the characteristics which are considered to be the divine
nature Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence;
cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the
Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation;
tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from
covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude;
cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor—these transcendental
qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature. (Bg16.1-3). And
Srila Prabhupada explains these qualities elaborately in the social institution known as
varnasrama-dharma—the institution dividing society into four divisions of social life and four
spiritual divisions, occupational divisions or castes—is not meant to divide the human society
according to birth. Such divisions are in terms of educational qualifications and also to keep the
society in a state of peace and prosperity. The qualities mentioned herein are explained as
transcendental qualities meant for a person to progress in spiritual understanding so that he can
be liberated from the material world.

After the Jayavarman VII this system slowly disappeared, we found an interesting statement that
later on general population took up the Theravada Buddhism, they rejected all the other religious
principles. For them devaraja is not necessary, even the Lord is also not necessary, In any case
Theravada is considered very unique, their religious activities exists even without the God. Even
Sidharta Gautama Buddha for them is not God, some monk here said Lord Buddha is also not
God, and Buddha never forced anybody to follow him, he teaches what is good what is bad, He
gives full liberation to the people to follow or not, so in Theravada we will not find kingdom as
devaraja to establish dharma by force and army, there is no system of reservoir of water/barays
according to the book (Along the royal road to Angkor) the agriculture also fell apart from that

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time, from fourteenth century onwards the Kingdom of Angkor lost its glory by abandoning the
temples and religious principles, and also series of wars from neighboring countries.

In the great empire of Angkor Suryavarman 2 according to the three modes of material nature
and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me…(Bg
4.13). The devotees at Kingdom of Cambodia taken shelter of sankirtana movement of Lord
Caitanya, by chanting the holly name, Hare Krishna Maha mantra, nicely we will continue to
meditate upon the lotus feet of Sad Gosvami of vrindavan, to get their special mercy so that we
can begin this mission of Lord Gauranga. The great acharya from our parampara has already
planed this to happen to spread all towns, cities and villages, and this varnasrama system will be
the system to carry this lord Caitanya’s mission, and to fulfill the desire Srila Prabhupada, to
establish the healthy society Gita Nagari dharma.It lasts even today.

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