SHRI SAI LEELA - Under Construction

SHRI SAI LEELA – APRIL 1986Indian names to indicate their descent from the Hindu founder KambuSwayambhu. Their names now ended in Varman e.g. Jayavarman,Indravarman, Harshavarman, Yashovarman etc. Their inscriptionswere in Sanskrit which was also the language of their sacredceremonies conducted by purohit or Brahmans many of whom wererecruited from sacred places in India. Quaritch Wales has ablydiscussed how Funan achieved a synthesis in its temple architectureof Hindu concepts and native ideals out of which grew the laterKhmer architecture. Of the Angkor Vat, the largest and mostextensive Hindu temple anywhere a discerning British observer hassaid "Let it be said immediately that Angkor, as it stands ranks aschief wonder of the world today, one of the summits to which humangenius has aspired in stone.... The only artistic influence and thisresemblance both exist, but as certainly the Cambodians were apeople of the finest aesthetic perfections and no Mexican Javanese,Siamese or Indian temple or work of art can compare with theirproduction. Their genius permeates every piece of sculpture in theruins". Thus though the original concept of this Vishnu shrine hadIndian affiliations the execution of it was entirely the result ofCambodian inspiration and artistic impulses.The Ramayana story held a high place in the life of the people ofCambodia and its neighbour, the kingdom of Champa. It constituted asource of great importance in the art and literature of this region. TheReam Ker, as the Cambodian version of the Ramayana is called, isconsidered to be the most valuable treasure of Cambodia's literaryinheritance. )ust as the Kaundinya Brahmans of South Indiaestablished themselves in Cambodia, legend has it that Bhargava22WWW.SAILEELAS.ORG