Ravana shaking Mount Kailash
The image shows the east-facing pediment of the south library depicting a scene narrated in the Hindu epic Ramayana in which Ravana with his 20 hands lifts and shakes Mount Kailash, the heavenly abode of Shiva, as Shiva sits calmly with his consort Parvati (also known as Uma) on his lap.
Here is the story behind this bas-relief in brief:
After a victory over Alaka, Ravana tries to fly his plane, Pushpaka Vimana, over Mount Kailash to return to Lanka. Nandikeshvara, an attendant of Shiva, does not allow Ravana’s plane to fly over the mountain because Shiva is sitting atop with his consort Parvati. Enraged by his refusal, Ravana tries to lift Mount Kailash.
As Ravana tries lifts it, Shiva holds it down with his enormous strength. Enraged and frustrated further by this act, Ravana starts shaking the mountain with a monstrous fury, while Shiva sits calmly with Parvati on his lap.
The south library is situated near the entrance of Banteay Srei Temple located 16 miles northeast of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Related Pages
– Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Phnom Kulen, Tonlé Sap, Cambodia
– Bali, Prambanan, Borobudur, Indonesia
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