Krishna and Rama are incarnations of Vishnu. Krishna's story is mostly told in the Mahabharata, Rama's story in the Ramayana (Khmer: reamker )
Krishna
('the one with dark skin') was born as the son of a prince. His brother Balarama is also an incarnation of Vishnu. They were related to the Pandavas. Their step uncle, King Kamsa, had received a prophecy that he would be killed by his nephew. He prosecutes Krishna and Balarama, without success.
Krishna subjugating the naga Kaliya
When King Kamsa had ordered to kill all young boys, Krishna is saved and hidden in a family of cowherds.
Once there is a naga called Kaliya housing in the watering place of the village. The villagers get sick of its poison. As a child Krishna is extraordinarily strong, he fights against the naga, tramples on his heads and forces him to move to another site. (Photo: Banteay Samré )
Krishna receives offerings allocated for Indra
Indra has ordered the cowherds to worship him as supreme god. Krishna disapproving of this behaviour tells them better to worship the mountain. The cowherds bring their offerings to the holy Mount Govardhana. In front of their eyes the mountain becomes Krishna. The cowherds shout for joy; they are from then on his proselytes. (Photo: Angkor Wat)
Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana
When he sees himself robbed of the offerings, Indra becomes furious. He sends a thunderstorm to destroy the cowherds and their herds. The cowherds turn to Krishna for rescue. He lifts the Mount Govardhana, holding it with one hand. They take refuge under the mountain. After seven days Indra gives in. He calls Krishna Govinda ('Protector of the Cows') and Lord of Golaka ('Lord of the Cows'). (Photo: Preah Khan)
Krishna in the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata , an epos of 100,000 verses, tells the story of the Kandava and Kaurava, two royal clans, related to each other. They are fighting for kingship. Krishna is a cousin of the Pandava. A big relief in Angkor Wat ( ð p.) depicts the final battle of Kurukshetra between the clans. Krishna is taking part as the charioteer of Arjuna , the leader of the Pandava.
In the battle of Kurukshetra Arjuna and Bishma, the leader of the Kaurava, fight each other. Arjuna's arrows pierce Bishma. His body is suspended by them. Bishma is a demigod and can decide the end of his life. He stays alive as long as the battle goes on. Sitting near the dying prince are his mourning relatives, the victorious Pandava on top (and taller), the Kaurava below them. (Photo: Angkor Wat)
Rama and Ramayana
The Ramayana, another Indian epos, tells the story of Rama. Vishnu incarnated as Rama to get rid of the demon king Ravana. In Cambodia a 17 th century version of the epos is known as Reamker .
Ravana abducting Sita
Rama, his consort Sita, and his brother Lakshmana are living in a forest. Ravana orders a demon to show up as a golden gazelle. While Rama and Lakshmana are hunting the supposed game, Ravana forces Sita and brings her into his kingdom at the island of Lanka. (Photo: Banteay Srei)
Rama killing Valin
Valin is the king of the monkeys. Rama forms an alliance with his (Valin's) brother Sugriva to kill him (Valin) and to gain the throne.
Whilst Sugriva is fighting with Valin, Vishnu shoots him (Valin) with an arrow from behind.
Sugriva becomes king and his army of monkeys goes to war against Ravana. (Photo: Banteay Srei)
The battle of Lanka
Rama and the monkeys (from left) are fighting against Ravana and his demons. The monkeys have human bodies - all shown frontal, and monkeys' faces. Unarmed, they fight with stones, sticks, fists or their teeth.
Ravana has a great appearance: monstrous draughts, flashy chariot, multiple arms and clubs, multiple faces; but heis attacked by Hanuman, the white monkey general (see the photo), and he will be killed in this battle. (Photo: Angkor Wat)
Rama's triumphant return to his capital
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are sitting on pushbaka , a magical chariot, carried by hamsa (wild geese) and flying in the air. (Photo: Preah Khan)Reference
Roveda 2005, p. 74-143.
