Khmer Cast Bronze Buddha Sheltered by Naga, 19th Century, Cambodia

The sculpture in the Khmer style and following the conventional form known as Buddha Muchalinda, with the Buddha seated in meditation and raised upon the coils of the large serpent. The naga’s seven heads arrayed behind the Buddha, the hoods flared to give him shelter.

The Buddha sits in mediation in virasana, the half lotus position, his hands resting in his lap in dhyana mudra, the gesture of meditation. The Buddha wears a simple sampot tied high upon his hips, and is bare-chested. His body adorned with jewels, including a large necklace, armlets, anklets, earrings, and a diadem. The ushnisha covered by a conical chignon cover.

The Buddha’s face is youthful and serene, with plump cheeks and soft features. The Buddha looks outwards from wide open eyes, a warm and sweet smile upon his lips.

The Naga King, Muchalinda, is portrayed beautifully, his thick coils supporting the meditating Buddha. His seven heads are arrayed elegantly and dramatically behind the Buddha almost like a halo or mandorla. The six secondary heads look upwards towards the large primary head, which looks outwards. The back of each head with a large stylized lotus blossom.

This is a popular image in Southeast Asia, where it is known as Naga Prok. This image recalls a chapter in the Buddha’s life, shortly after he achieved enlightenment. While the Buddha was engaged in a deep meditation, a large a powerful storm began to rage. The King of the Nagas, Muchalinda, saw the Buddha lost in meditation, unprotected, and unaware of the dangerous storm around him. Muchalinda decided to raise the Buddha above the rising waters upon his thick coils, and shelter him from the wind and rain using the flared hoods of his multiple heads.