Yulin Cave 25: Vaisravana

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou; Tang dynasty

This image of Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, is located on the left side of the back (east) wall within the antechamber. Virudhaka, Heavenly King of the South, is found on the right side of the same wall. The Golden Light Sutra describes the Four Heavenly Kings as guardians of the Buddha. They also receive and uphold the sutras and are protectors of the common people. Vaisravana was popular in ancient China.
The figure here wears a headdress and full armor, and stands in a powerful stance. The king has large round eyes that stand out against his dark skin. A pagoda is held in one hand, while a trident is in the other. Two demons are trampled beneath the figure’s feet. The smaller figure on the left is Vaisravana’s son, Prince Dujian. Dujian wears a lion-skin headdress and holds a jewel in one hand and a mouse in the other. According to the Vaisravana Liturgy, in the year 742, the five kingdoms of Central Asia attacked Anxi (present day Guazhou) and Vaisravana dispatched his second son, Dujian, to lead the heavenly troops in defense of the city. Dujian caused the various weapons in the enemy camp to be damaged by mice. He is depicted wearing a tiger skin, characteristic of a Tibetan warrior, and commonly seen in Tibetan Empire (circa 7th–9th century) cave art.