Visvantara Jataka ( Story of Prince Visvantra)

Visvantara Jataka ( Story of Prince Visvantra)

 Ajanta Caves, Gupta Period, 5th Century CE

          Ajanta is known more for its frescoes than for its sculptures.  The discovery of the caves in early 19th century was an eye opening event. Till then, no one knew about paintings of ancient India, though paintings were mentioned in Sanskrit literature.  The discovery of Ajanta led to the emergence of the Bengal School of art founded by the Tagore family. 

         The paintings in Ajanta depict the Jataka stories --tales about the previous births of Lord Buddha. He is said to have narrated all his previous births. The stories are moral paradigms for people. They emphasise love, compassion, sacrifice,  pity,  generosity. 

         Prince Visvantra was a generous person to a fault. When Kalinga suffered a famine, he gave away his magical elephant who could bring the rains to Kalinga.  His own people were enraged, as Kalinga Kingdom was their enemy. The people demanded that the Prince be banished from the kingdom.  

         In this painting, Prince Visvantra is shown in his palace with his wife, Madri. They are busy in dalliance. On the left side, we see the couple leaving the city. The cruel Brahmin,  Jujuka, prays to the Prince to give him the two young children of the Prince, so the children can look after the physically challenged Brahmin. The Prince parts with his children as well. 

          This is one of the finest paintings of Ajanta.  The multiple narrative is interesting.  The artist has caught different strata of society : from the Prince and the Princess to the servants in the bedchamber to the ordinary citizens looking out of the window seeing the Prince leaving the city to the Brahmin who intercepts the Prince and the Princess. The naturalness of the beetle nut trees in the background lends naturalism to the otherwise stylised painting. 

           The story highlights the importance of compassion, even for one's enemies; it emphasises sacrifice of the political leader for the welfare of the people. It stresses on equanimity  despite the sudden change of fortune: from palace to forest. These Jataka stories continue to be relevant for our modern life as well.