Yulin Cave 15: Heavenly King
Yulin Cave 15: Heavenly King
CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou; Tang dynasty
This image, located on the south wall of the antechamber, is believed to be Virudhaka, Heavenly King of the South. The figure has a benign countenance and delicate facial features. Wearing a helmet and intricately detailed armor, Virudhaka carries a bow over one arm and holds an arrow with both hands. The king sits in the relaxation posture upon two demons. Although the imps have well defined bulging muscles, they struggle to support the king’s weight. A yaksa behind and to the left of Virudhaka holds a quiver of arrows in one hand, while the other hand is held at the forehead. The wrathful-looking yaksa has curled hair, sharp exposed teeth, a beast’s head, and a muscular body.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1586.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1586,
title = {{Yulin Cave 15: Heavenly King}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}