Trimurti (Trinity)
Shiva , as supreme god, is standing in the middle. He has five faces (four are visible) and ten arms (one is missing). Brahma, kneeling at the left, has four faces (three visible) and eight arms (four visible). Vishnu, kneeling at the right, is the smallest, he has one face and four arms.
In Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva are regarded as supreme gods. In Cambodia, untill about 1100 AD, Shiva is the national god. (Photo: Wat Phu, Laos)
Shiva and Uma on Nandi
Shiva, the supreme god and the national god of the Khmers appears without pomp and is unassuming. He is riding on Nandi , a zebu bull, Uma , his consort, sits behind him with the legs sideways. The two are like a Cambodian couple on their motorbike. (Photo: Banteay Srei)
Shiva appearing to the wives of the hermits
To try out the loyalty of his keenest disciples, the hermits, Shiva appears to their wives as a seductively beautiful youth, almost naked. They are fascinated and are beside themselves.
(Photo: Angkor Wat)
Shiva killing Kama
he demon Taraka is wreaking havoc amongst the gods. No other god can defeat him but a son of Shiva. Shiva shall make love with Uma and father a son. But he is sitting on Mount Kailasha in endless meditation. Indra tells Kama, the God of Love, to wake up Shiva and bring his attention to lovely Uma. With his bow of sugar cane, Kama brandishes a flower arrow to Shiva. Angry about the interruption, Shiva kills him with the fire energy of his third eye. Then he recognizes the beauty of Uma from whom his son will be born. (Photo: Banteay Srei)
Arjuna encounters Shiva
Hunting in the forest, Arjuna, is attacked by a fierce boar. He kills the beast with an arrow. But then another hunter claims the bag. They start fighting, Arjuna gets into trouble and prays silently to Shiva for help. Then he realises that his antagonist is Shiva. He submits to him and worships him. Shiva gives him a magical bow and arrows.(Photo: Baphuon. Read from bottom to top.)
Ravana shaking Mount Kailasha
The Demon King Ravana is an ardent devotee of Shiva. When he wants to enter Mount Kailasha a monkey faced guardian refuses access. Furious Ravana shakes the mountain. Shiva lifts the mountain and buries the demon king. Prostrated, with the mountain in his back, Ravana is singing hymns of praise to Shiva for one thousand years. At last he wins Shiva's friendship.
(Photo: Banteay Srei)
Dancing Shiva
Shiva's most powerful appearance is as nataraja , the King of the Dance. At the end of time, getting intoxicated, Shiva is dancing the tandava, the dance he has created. Under his feet he destroys the world making space for a new creation.
(Photo: Banteay Srei)
Reference
Vittorio Roveda, Images of the Gods, Bangkok 2005,
p. 142-171.
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