Comments on: Are Ancient Goddesses Actually 12th Century Khmer Queens? http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/ Decoding the World's Greatest Archaeological Mystery: Who were the ancient Khmer women depicted on the Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat? Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kent Davis http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-3359 Kent Davis Tue, 17 May 2011 22:10:35 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-3359 To Jasmine...many of the gods and goddesses of the Khmer have the same names as those in the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons of India but the Khmer interpretations may vary. Check these two articles out for some goddess names. The first one is about rice goddesses: http://www.devata.org/2009/10/rice-goddesses-of-indonesia-cambodia-and-thailand/ The second is about goddesses in India http://www.devata.org/2010/03/chausath-yogini-temple-complete-inventory-of-goddesses-and-gods/ Regarding the article above, the author's evidence suggests that some images that were thought to be goddesses may actually be representations of two Cambodian queens. To Jasmine…many of the gods and goddesses of the Khmer have the same names as those in the Hindu and Buddhist pantheons of India but the Khmer interpretations may vary.

Check these two articles out for some goddess names. The first one is about rice goddesses:
http://www.devata.org/2009/10/rice-goddesses-of-indonesia-cambodia-and-thailand/

The second is about goddesses in India
http://www.devata.org/2010/03/chausath-yogini-temple-complete-inventory-of-goddesses-and-gods/

Regarding the article above, the author’s evidence suggests that some images that were thought to be goddesses may actually be representations of two Cambodian queens.

]]> By: Jasmine http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-3358 Jasmine Tue, 17 May 2011 05:21:25 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-3358 Hello. Good website but I was actually hoping for the names of the famous goddesses and gods. Hello.
Good website but I was actually hoping for the names of the famous goddesses and gods.

]]> By: Ancient Queens Who Shaped an Asian Empire: Indradevi and Jayarajadevi | Angkor Wat Apsara & Devata: Khmer Women in Divine Context http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-2058 Ancient Queens Who Shaped an Asian Empire: Indradevi and Jayarajadevi | Angkor Wat Apsara & Devata: Khmer Women in Divine Context Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:21:19 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-2058 [...] Images that appear to be royal portraits of the two queens reveal additional evidence of female power and participation within the government. Additional evidence from illustrated bas-reliefs, monument pediments and written inscriptions on steles offers insights that document the pro-active approach these women took as unsung pioneers of social values and women’s rights. At the south gate entrance of Angkor Thom, the royal trio greets all visitors. [...] [...] Images that appear to be royal portraits of the two queens reveal additional evidence of female power and participation within the government. Additional evidence from illustrated bas-reliefs, monument pediments and written inscriptions on steles offers insights that document the pro-active approach these women took as unsung pioneers of social values and women’s rights. At the south gate entrance of Angkor Thom, the royal trio greets all visitors. [...]

]]> By: Preah Khan - Khmer Goddesses in the Heart of the Temple | Angkor Wat Apsara & Devata: Khmer Women in Divine Context http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-2053 Preah Khan - Khmer Goddesses in the Heart of the Temple | Angkor Wat Apsara & Devata: Khmer Women in Divine Context Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:40:16 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-2053 [...] Evidence presented by independent researcher Phalika Ngin suggests that the primary statues represent the two wives if Jayavarman VII: Queen Indradevi and Queen Jayarajadevi. [...] [...] Evidence presented by independent researcher Phalika Ngin suggests that the primary statues represent the two wives if Jayavarman VII: Queen Indradevi and Queen Jayarajadevi. [...]

]]> By: phalikaN http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-1842 phalikaN Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:53:12 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-1842 1. With all due respect to Reinhart as he kindly pointed out that the king (name?) of 952 made Parvati to the likeliness of his mother as did King Jayavarman VII (1186) made Prajnaparamita to the likeliness of his mother. Therefore, Prajnaparamita is NOT as "presumed" also, to the likeliness of Queen Jayarajadevi, his wife. 2. All the devatas should bear some divinity name or recognized as such, as Prajnaparamita (a Buddhist divinity), or Lakshmi or Parvati (both Hindu divinities) etc. ALL of the images of the queen-goddess-devata bore NO name as the few statues found of Jayavarman VII. Also, king-god or queen-goddess bore no distinctions in reverence; however, their accoutrement in royal regalia differed greatly, for instance compared the statues of Prajnaparamita and Lakshmi to the queens-goddesses, http://www.phalikan.com/photostories/insights.html, click on "the two queens" tab. If these 2 queens did NOT represent themselves; then, which Buddhist goddesses were they representing? 3. The irony is that the "presumed" images of queen Jayarajadevi (and those of the King) were excavated, extracted from "in situ" to be showcased, protected, and cared for in museums. (see the above link and observe the chiseled out stone of the base of statues.) Whereas, the only 2 unique specimens of the likeliness of the images of the 2 queens, showcasing the highest workmanship and artistry in rendering human portraits, are left open, unprotected from the elements and vandalism. See the current state of roofing of their dungeon, http://www.phalikan.com/part1/mod1.html. 1. With all due respect to Reinhart as he kindly pointed out that the king (name?) of 952 made Parvati to the likeliness of his mother as did King Jayavarman VII (1186) made Prajnaparamita to the likeliness of his mother. Therefore, Prajnaparamita is NOT as “presumed” also, to the likeliness of Queen Jayarajadevi, his wife.
2. All the devatas should bear some divinity name or recognized as such, as Prajnaparamita (a Buddhist divinity), or Lakshmi or Parvati (both Hindu divinities) etc. ALL of the images of the queen-goddess-devata bore NO name as the few statues found of Jayavarman VII. Also, king-god or queen-goddess bore no distinctions in reverence; however, their accoutrement in royal regalia differed greatly, for instance compared the statues of Prajnaparamita and Lakshmi to the queens-goddesses, http://www.phalikan.com/photostories/insights.html, click on “the two queens” tab. If these 2 queens did NOT represent themselves; then, which Buddhist goddesses were they representing?
3. The irony is that the “presumed” images of queen Jayarajadevi (and those of the King) were excavated, extracted from “in situ” to be showcased, protected, and cared for in museums. (see the above link and observe the chiseled out stone of the base of statues.) Whereas, the only 2 unique specimens of the likeliness of the images of the 2 queens, showcasing the highest workmanship and artistry in rendering human portraits, are left open, unprotected from the elements and vandalism. See the current state of roofing of their dungeon, http://www.phalikan.com/part1/mod1.html.

]]> By: Anandajoti http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-1169 Anandajoti Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:29:21 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-1169 I agree with Reinhart, the images are most likely both Queens and Godesses or Apsaras. It is clear that the likeness of Jayavarman VII was used for the images of Avalokitesvara at Bayon. I cannot agree that these pieces need taking to a museum though as Phalika argues, that would be not be a good thing. Better they get adequate protection <i>in situ</i>. I agree with Reinhart, the images are most likely both Queens and Godesses or Apsaras. It is clear that the likeness of Jayavarman VII was used for the images of Avalokitesvara at Bayon.

I cannot agree that these pieces need taking to a museum though as Phalika argues, that would be not be a good thing. Better they get adequate protection in situ.

]]> By: Reinhart Zieger http://www.devata.org/2010/04/are-ancient-goddesses-actually-12th-century-khmer-queens/comment-page-1/#comment-875 Reinhart Zieger Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:22:20 +0000 http://www.devata.org/?p=3210#comment-875 I fully agree with Phalika's findings. I've prsented this matter an my website: http://www.angkorguide.net/mythology/devata.htm http://www.angkorguide.net/mythology/DevataApsara.html But: Do these reliefs just show queens, or even 'goddess-queens'? I think: No. From the East Mebon (952) we know by an inscription that an idol of Parvati was carved 'in the likeness of' the king's mother. (Glaize 2003, p. 161). The statue of Prajnaparamita in Ta Prohm (1186) was 'in the likeness' of the king's mother. (Freeman/Jacques 2003, p. 136). So the reliefs depict goddesses or female deities in the likeness of Queen Indradevi and Queen Jayarajadevi. [ cannot download Phalika's pages.] I fully agree with Phalika’s findings. I’ve prsented this matter an my website:
http://www.angkorguide.net/mythology/devata.htm
http://www.angkorguide.net/mythology/DevataApsara.html
But: Do these reliefs just show queens, or even ‘goddess-queens’?
I think: No.
From the East Mebon (952) we know by an inscription that an idol of Parvati was carved ‘in the likeness of’ the king’s mother. (Glaize 2003, p. 161). The statue of Prajnaparamita in Ta Prohm (1186) was ‘in the likeness’ of the king’s mother. (Freeman/Jacques 2003, p. 136).
So the reliefs depict goddesses or female deities in the likeness of Queen Indradevi and Queen Jayarajadevi.
[ cannot download Phalika's pages.]

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