Relief Of Atavaka

Inner Southwest Wall of the Porch
Candi Mendut

Twin reliefs on the inner walls of the porch illustrate the popular Buddhist legend of Hariti, a Hindu ogress and plague goddess who was converted by the Buddha to become the protectoress of children¹. Her relief (not shown) is displayed on the inner northeast wall of the porch. Seen here, on the inner southwest wall, is a rare and unusual relief of her husband, Atavaka (or, Panchika) surrounded by the children whom he, like his wife, is now protecting.

¹An example of religious usurpation, in which a contact religion (Buddhism, in this case) incorporates the gods of its competitors (Hinduism, in this case) into its own pantheon.