Yulin Cave 15: Heavenly King

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou; Tang dynasty

This image is located on the north wall of the antechamber and is believed to be Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North. Cave 15 was constructed during the Mid-Tang period (756–846) and consists of an antechamber and a main chamber connected by a corridor. The carvings and murals in the main chamber are not original; these include a Buddha image created during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) and murals repainted during the Song dynasty (960–1279). The original Mid-Tang period murals, which include this Heavenly King, are only found in the antechamber and the corridor. The other walls are painted with images that include other Heavenly Kings, Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas, and heavenly beings dressed in Tibetan-style clothing.
This Heavenly King, with a canopy suspended over the head, is seated on a raised rectangular throne. He wears numerous ornaments on his bare torso, as well as armlets and a lower garment. The wide, round eyes exude a sense of power. One hand holds a vajra, while the other grasps a mongoose that spews forth jewels from its mouth. Two faintly painted Bodhi trees with lush foliage are found behind the king. Above there are apsaras who scatter flowers. A heavenly being holds a platter on the left side, while on the right side a warrior is wearing a tiger skin and holding a pouch.