Buddhism has Guardian Kings for the four directions. Vaiśravaṇa, Guardian of the North, is chief of the four. Although depicted throughout the Silk Road he is particularly associated with the founding of Khotan. In this ninth-century painting, Vaiśravaṇa holds a miniature stupa in his right hand and a halberd in his left. Like all Guardian Kings, Vaiśravaṇa's power is indicated not only by his armour, weapons and warrior-like stance, but also by the subjugated demon or yakṣa crushed beneath him. In his Indian Hindu form, Vaiśravaṇa was Kubera, God of Wealth and King of the Demons who lived in the Himalayas with his demon army.
Ink and pigments on silk
The British Museum
1919,0101,0.138 (Ch.lv.0018)