Angkor Wat: Gods Vs. Asuras Bas-Relief – Vishnu Riding Garuda

yatrika

3 years ago

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Vishnu in the Gods Vs. Asuras Battle
The image shows a section of the Gods Vs. Asuras bas-relief depicting a battle scene in which Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity, fighting the asuras (demons). It is carved on the western section of the north gallery located on the perimeter of the lower level of the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Check the Angkor Wat Temple Layout for the exact location of the Battle between Gods Vs. Asuras bas-relief. Read the Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs page for a detailed description of this and other bas-reliefs.

Standing on top of his vehicle Garuda, a mythical eagle-like bird with human-like features, Vishnu appears to be in the battle mode. While holding his signature objects [Sudarshana Chakra (a disc-like weapon) and Shanka (conch)] with two of his hands, he is about to shoot arrows using the other two.

Meanwhile, Garuda is trying to fly above the warriors. As you can see, with his legs firmly placed on the necks of two horses, and his hands stretched wide, he is pushing the faces of the other two horses away to move forward and fly. Surrounding Vishnu and Garuda are the devas and asuras engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

Gods Vs. Asuras Images
– Varuna Riding Makara
– Indra riding Airavata
– Kartikeya (Skanda) Riding a Peacock
– Brahma in a Cocoon
– Multi-headed Asura Riding a Chariot

Related Images
– Garuda carrying Narasimha – A sculptural relief carved on the facade at the main entrance of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple in Karnataka, India
– Garuda carrying Vishnu – A sculpture mounted on the outer wall of the Somanathapura Keshava Temple in Karnataka, India
– Garuda Carrying Vishnu – A sculpture standing on the courtyard of the Mengwi Temple in Bali, Indonesia
– Dashavatara – Ten incarnations of Vishnu painted on the Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals in Karnataka, India

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