Sectarian Rivalry in Ninth-Century Cambodia: A Posthumous Inscription Narrating the Religious Tergiversations of Jayavarman III (K. 1457)

This article provides an edition and translation of inscribed two-sided stela (K. 1457), discovered during the construction a road in northwest Cambodia 2019, that commemorates endowment Viṣṇu temple reign ninth-century king Jayavarman III. The inscription, Sanskrit verse except for few lines Khmer prose give details grants made, is undated, but uses posthumous name III, namely Viṣṇuloka, whose death cannot have occurred later than 877 CE. »Syncretism« label often bandied about connection with ancient religious life. In counterpoise, this epigraph alludes to III having attempted drive out Buddhists convert his subjects into Śaivas, before being himself won over Vaiṣṇava devotion, after Śaiva chaplain was struck dumb died debate priest Cāmpeśvara, once most famous landscape, location can no longer be determined certainty. A second faith-inspiring drama also sketched first endowment: wife entered Viṣṇu’s while menstruating began bleed from her breasts. K. 1457 adds nuance our picture interrelations between classical Indian religions among Khmers, confirms recognition at time three principal religionists: Buddhists, Vaiṣṇavas, Śaivas. Comparison evidence rivalry specifically Śaivas Vaiṣṇavas different parts sub-continent (particularly Nepal Tamil-speaking South) enables us set Cambodian relevant context.