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PRASAT BANTEAY CHHMAR (CAT TEMPLE)

 There was a narrative that once upon a time there was a king, whosename was Preahbat Yuoske, who reigned over Chambark city(Banteay Chhmar). The king was very kind and he had never madeany trouble with his neighboring countries. His people lived inhappiness and peace. This great prestige was publicized toanother king whose name was Preahbat Hu Lu. Eventhough Preahbat Hu Lu ruled Prasat Prov, he wanted totake control over Cham bark city. So he wrote a letterto demand that he wanted to take the throne ofPreahbat Yuoske. Because the king wanted tohave peace, he fled himself from his court inorder not to make war, not to cause anyhardship for his people. Since then, BanteayChhmar in Chambark city fell into the handof Preahbat Hu Lu.


Later, Preahbat Hu Lu wanted to expand his territory, but he was afraid that the former king might come to fight for his country back. Thus the king announced to the public, “Now Preahbat Yuoske is preparing to send the troops to fight for his country back. So, if anyone could spy for the exact place where Preahbat Yuoske hides, I will give 1,000 Damloeung of gold.” Then there were hunters who hunted animals in the far forest finding Preahbat Yuoske and his wife, Preahneang Botum as well as his son, Vibolke. They were living in Prasat Tamoan, located along Dang Rek Mountain.

Because they wanted to get 1,000 Damloeung of gold prize, the wild hunters arrested Preah Bat Yuoske. While he was concentrating and practicing his meditation alone in the quiet forest, Preah Bat Yuoske was taken by the hunters in order to receive the gold prize. At that time, Preah Bat Hu Lu ordered his executioners to punish and to put Preah Bat Yuoske in the prison for years.

Talking about Preah Neang Sotum and her son, she was desperately sad as she lost her husband and she even received information that Preah Sat Hu Lu was punishing her husband very severely. She took good care· of her beloved son in the forest for a very long time until her son reached the age of 12. Preah Reach Kumar (the royal son) always asked about his father. Preah Neang Sotum told thoroughly about the story to her son. After he had known about the fact of his father, SreyVibolke always missed him very much and always wanted to take revenge immediately as his anger arose. Anyway, his mother often advised him to forget the story as there was nobody else in this forest, so she did not hope to return to the country to seek justice. Even though his mother prohibited him, Preah Reach Kumar did not agree with at all.


Because of not standing any longer; Preah Reach Kumar asked for permission from his mother to search for the information about his father everywhere. The search lasted for a very long time. When he arrived at the center of Banteay Chhmar, he suddenly saw guards taking prisoner to be killed. He was sure that prisoner was his father; he quickly pushed through the crowd until he stood before Preah Bat Hu Lu.

The royal kid said loudly, "This prisoner is my father. He is innocent. There is no reason to kill him. Please release him. If you (Preah Bat Hu Lu) like killing, please kill me. I choose to be killed instead of my father." Preah Bat Hu Lu listened to the little boy with great amazement. Then he asked, "Where are you from? Why are you so arrogant to say such words? I will kill you if you want to die." The little boy replied very quickly, "I am the son of Preah Bat Yuoske, this very prisoner. I don't fear of dying because of such injustice. I choose to be killed instead of my father."

Prah Bat Hu Lu said, “Brave boy! Is this man your father? If so, come closer, I will punish you instead.” The little boy came to be punished instead of his father immediately. Then Preah Bat Hu Lu ordered his executioners to kill the little boy before the public as the warning to other people not to be so arrogant. A lot of people were crowded to see this strange event. Some were very frightened because they felt pitiful for the little kid; some admired the bravery of him.

Because of his gratitude to his parents, a miracle happened. The executioner's sword which was always sharpened became twisting. Seeing this Preah Bat Hu Lu very angry, he shouted loudly at the executioner to change the new sharpest sword and go to cut him again. This time, the sword was still twisting, could not cut the little boy's flesh even the slightest.

When Preah Bat Hu Lu saw this, he ordered the executioners to set the fire very fiercely and threw the little kid into that fire, but it was useless. The fire turned very cold; it did not burn or hurt the little kid at all. Preah Reach Kumar got out of the fire and he smiled broadly at Preah Baht Hu Lu and all people.

Preabat Hu Lu was not still satisfied enough; he ordered his servants to take a herd of wild war elephants to kill the little boy. The elephant trainers galloped their elephants very fast toward the little boy. Miraculously, all of those elephants kneed down the same at two paces before the little kid. Moreover, the older elephant even carried the little boy on its head.

Then people were amazed; they gathered around the little boy, and paid homage to him. When Preah Bat Hu Lu saw such power, he fled himself from the large crowd who were in the chaos. When the situation became normal, they did not see King Hu Lu, they thought that the king had fled himself because he was afraid of the power of Preah Reach Kumar SreyVibolke as he had witnessed such miraculous power. The little kid ran to hug his father very dramatically.

After that Preah Reach Kumar SreyVibolke invited his father on a sedan chair returning to Prasat Taman on Dang Rek Mountain. They lived there with Preah Neang Botum happily. Not so long later, because Preah Bat Yuoske had suffered severe punishment, he passed away. The grateful son cremated his father's body and buried the ashes very properly.

Later onward, the people and highranking officials marched in procession to invite Preah ReachKumar SreyVibolke and his mother to live in the royal palace Banteay Chhmar.

Then SreyVibolke was crowned King of Banteay Chhmar. Preahneang Botum and her son lived happily together since then.


- The END -
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