The Golden-Winged Bird Battles the Venomous Dragon 金翅鸟斗毒龙 (Yu Ding)

Based on the mural in Cave 9, Mogao Caves, Dunhuang — Late Tang Dynasty (c.9th Century AD). This work depicts a combat between the Buddhist guardian deity "the Golden-Winged Bird (Garuda)" and a "venomous dragon (Nāga)". The non-Buddhist ascetic "Raudrakṣa" transforms himself into a venomous dragon to challenge the Buddha’s disciple "Śāriputra" in a contest of supernatural powers. Śāriputra, in turn, transforms into a great "Golden-Winged Bird", gouges out the dragon’s eyes, and rends its body.