King Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII was a king of the Khmer Empire and reigned
from c.1181-1218. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II and Queen Sri
Jayarajacudamani, so he was born into the royal family. He had gotten married to Jayarajadevi, who had a huge influence on him, then soon after her
passing, he re-married to her sister, Indradevi. He married the two women as he
believed the two gave him great inspiration, particularly in his unusual
devotion to Buddhism, as he was the only king in the Khmer Empire to be a
Buddhist. He is generally considered by historians the most powerful Khmer
monarch of all time and was over 90 years of age when he died.
During Jayavarman’s reign, he continued military activies of bringing Champa, southern Laos and portions of Burma under his control. Even though he worked on these military activities, he devoted a lot of his time and energy into constructing religious buildings. He built a large number temples, including the Bayon, a Mahayana Buddhist pyramid temple and also Angkor Thom, which was a rebuilt of Angkor. In addition, he also constructed more than 100 houses and hospitals, that were dispersed across his kingdom.
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K. 485 (AD.1220)
25LXV.(King) Yasovarman having been (overthrown) by a retainer seeking to obtain royal power, (Jayavarman)returned promptly from Vijaya to rescue this sovereign.LXVI.But Sri Yasovarman, having already been robbed of his kingdom and of his life by this (usurper), he (Jayavarman) stayed, waiting for the best moment to save the earth heavy with crime...LXVIII. Sri Jaya Indravarman, king of Champa, arrogant as Ravana... having an army led by Chariots, went to the country of Kambu equal to the heavens in order to fight. LXIX... made harsh by Yama who resides in the Southern Region, and weakened by the Sun, in order to capture in battle... he killed that king 26 who suffered the consequences (of his previous acts). LXX.Having by his patience in misfortune defeated in combat this (king of Champa) who had a boundless ocean of warriors, after having received the royal consecration, he (Jayavarman VII) enjoyed, by conquest of Vijaya and other countries, the purified earth, which could be called his home.
–Phimeanekas Poem/Inscription, by Queen Indradevi, wife of Jayavarman VII.
This extract was created by Queen Indradevi, wife of Jayarvarman VII. This is an inscription or poem written by Jayarvarman’s second wife for her own record. It informs us with happenings of Jayarvarman. The message sent to us is that Jayarvarman can successfully finish anything he starts. ‘…he (Jayarvarman) stayed, waiting or the best moment to save the earth heavy with crime…’
25LXV.(King) Yasovarman having been (overthrown) by a retainer seeking to obtain royal power, (Jayavarman)returned promptly from Vijaya to rescue this sovereign.LXVI.But Sri Yasovarman, having already been robbed of his kingdom and of his life by this (usurper), he (Jayavarman) stayed, waiting for the best moment to save the earth heavy with crime...LXVIII. Sri Jaya Indravarman, king of Champa, arrogant as Ravana... having an army led by Chariots, went to the country of Kambu equal to the heavens in order to fight. LXIX... made harsh by Yama who resides in the Southern Region, and weakened by the Sun, in order to capture in battle... he killed that king 26 who suffered the consequences (of his previous acts). LXX.Having by his patience in misfortune defeated in combat this (king of Champa) who had a boundless ocean of warriors, after having received the royal consecration, he (Jayavarman VII) enjoyed, by conquest of Vijaya and other countries, the purified earth, which could be called his home.
–Phimeanekas Poem/Inscription, by Queen Indradevi, wife of Jayavarman VII.
This extract was created by Queen Indradevi, wife of Jayarvarman VII. This is an inscription or poem written by Jayarvarman’s second wife for her own record. It informs us with happenings of Jayarvarman. The message sent to us is that Jayarvarman can successfully finish anything he starts. ‘…he (Jayarvarman) stayed, waiting or the best moment to save the earth heavy with crime…’