The Legend Behind the Name: According to an old Cambodian Legend, (and my relative on this site who found the info, Porkira Kaundinya), one day an Indian Brahman (priest) named Kaundinya was directed by a heavenly spirit to sail eastward. After a difficult journey he reached the Cambodian coast, where a beautiful young woman paddled out in her canoe to greet him. At first Kaundinya was delighted to meet such a charming hostess, until he learned that she was Queen Willowleaf (Nagi Pricess Soma), ruler of the country and daughter of a serpent god that was a personal enemy of his. When she declared that she would seize his ship and destroy him, he shot a magic arrow into her boat. The queen immediately realized that she was no match for the newcomer and agreed to make peace. Shortly after, the two were married, and their child became the first king of Funan. Thus was born the Dynasty of the first Kingdom of Cambodia called Phnom or Funan, introducing Hindu customs, legal traditions and the Sanskrit language.