Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c10.35

c10.35

Reference has been made above to the worship of the footprint of Viṣṇu, which is quite well-known in India. But we also find mention of the footprint of Śiva being held equally sacred in Kambuja (No. 8). We learn from a record that a pious Brāhmaṇa consecrated the representation of a foot of Śiva and a cistern for the ablution of the god, on the top of a hillock. In the year 526 Śaka (= 604 A.D.) the representation of the divine foot was surrounded by a brick wall. The human figure of Śiva was also quite well-known. A fine image of Śiva with Pārvatī, seated on the left thigh of the god, was installed in the year 535 Śaka (= 613 A.D.). The references to *liṅga* are numerous.