Thirteen Demons at the Gate

For centuries ...this vicious pack of warriorshavethat a major factor in his decision to accept the faith
greeted bothfriends and foes alike.was his relationship with his wife, Jayarajedevi, and
They are the demonsof the South Gate ...at AngkorIndradevi the woman that he married after her death.
Thom.Jayarajedevi, and Indradevi her sister, were inspirational
Loyal friends of King Jayavarman VII.figures who had a significant impact upon the king's
True friends of Siddhartha Sakayamuni.spiritual views.
They will destroyany foolish doltwho may unwittinglyIn political matters, Jayavarman's ascent to the throne
choose ...to crosstheir tumultuous path.was purportedly spurred by his role in leading the
From a historical perspective, King Jayavarman VII isKhmai in a military conquest of the Cham, the ancient
one of the most important figures in the culture of theancestors of the modern day Vietnamese. The
Khmai. Jayavarman was born in 1125 and died in 1215.conquest occurred after the Cham led a surprise
He went on to lead the Khmai as their reigning kingattack upon the Khmai capital at Angkor. It is said that
from 1181 to 1215.Jayavarman was able to re-establish power in the
As a notable figure, it is arguable that his mostface of defeat by fostering a united front by
distinctive attribute was his decision to embraceovercoming sectarian strife.
Buddhism as his religion. The historical archives indicate