Buddha Sheltered by Naga Hood

Registration No. 09/302/2497

Ayutthaya Art, ca. 14th – 18th century

Sandstone, Height 95 cm. Width56 cm.

            Donated by Somdet Phra Maha Viravong to the Fine Arts Department in 1927.

            The Buddha is sitting in the meditation mudra on the intertwined coil of a naga used as a throne; Its seven-headed hood is spread over the Buddha to protect him from the rains. His face is square with connected curving eyebrows above the short nose, he has wide eyes and thick lips. He is wearing a crown, earrings, a necklace and a bracelet.

            During the sixth week of his enlightenment, the Buddha meditated under the tree near the lake where Muchalinda, king of naga, lived. A sudden thunderstorm threatened to flood the area where the Buddha was seated for an entire week. To protect the Buddha, Muchalinda coiled his body under the meditating Buddha. He covered the Buddha with his seven-headed hood sheltering him from the heavy rain. After the rainstorm, He changes into a human form and showed respect to the Buddha.