KRISHNA CULT THROUGH CHAMPA'S OBJECTS: AN ICONOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION FOR OBJECTS FROM THE 10TH CENTURY OF KHƯƠNG MỸ SITE
Abstract
This paper examines the iconography of two stone sculptures, including: a sculpture depicting the wrestlers, and, the other evoking a chariot. Although both sculptures were found at Khương Mỹ site by French scholars since late of the 19th century, the iconography of these two masterpieces remains a mystery to scholars in studying Khương Mỹ monument, and Champa culture as well. This paper indicates that the wrestler sculpture might be illustrated the theme “Krishna killing Kamsa”, and, the image of chariot can be demonstrated the topic “white-horsed chariot of Arjuna with the divine charioteer, Krishna”. Those ideas are also mentioned in the Champa inscriptions, which may lead to the hypothesis that Krishna cult was once practiced in Champa, and Khương Mỹ temple could be an example.