South library west-facing facade
TThe south library is situated near the entrance to the inner enclosure of the Banteay Srei Temple located 16 miles northeast of Siem Reap, Cambodia. The pediment depicts a scene based on Shiva Purana in which Kama (Kamadeva), the god of love and carnal desire, strikes Shiva with Kamabana (Kama’s arrows) to arouse passion and desire in meditating Shiva.
According to the story, Shiva went into meditation to grieve the death of his wife Sati, resulting in a great imbalance in the world. Meanwhile, Sati was reborn as Parvati, and all the gods wanted Shiva to marry Parvati. Sensing this, Indra sends Kama to arouse passion in Shiva for him to desire Parvati.
Related Pages
Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat, Ankor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Phnom Kulen, Tonle Sap, Cambodia
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