Thai Jataka Paintings of the Ratanakosin Period
On-line Exhibition and Sale
Prince Vessantara
The tale of the Prince of Charity unfolds as follows: Phusatti, the principal consort of Sakka (the Indian thunder god, Indra) descended to earth and became the mother of the bodhisattva in his penultimate birth. Phusatti at the age of 16 marries Sanjaya, the sovereign of Sivi. Once pregnant, she built six alms' halls where she distributed charity daily. While visiting Vessa, the merchants' quarter of the city, she gave birth to Vessantara.
Vessantara became a generous and charitable boy, always wanting to give away his possessions, distributing alms on his favorite white elephant with whom he shared birth and whom he grew up together. Many subjects attributed the kingdom's rains to this white elephant.
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1.White Elephant's Birth
The first banner reads from top to bottom. Sakka, Phusatti, and numerous goddesses gather in the Tavatimsa heaven. Sakka, leaning over the sleeping Phusatti, tells her that she is to go to earth. The second scene shows the pregnant Phusatti distributing alms to the poor in the orchard of one of the six alms' halls she built. In the middle right, the white elephant gives birth. The birth of Vessantara coincided with this propitious event. The bottom scene illustrates Prince Vessantara in his palace distributing charity.
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2.Giving the Elephant
From the top, Vessantara distributes charity in an alms hall. The central scene shows Vessantara seating in his palace attending to the delegation of Brahmins asking for the precious white elephant. The man climbing the coconut tree with his exposed penis introduces local humor. Below, Vessantara in the white elephant pours water signifying the granting and blessing of precious gift. Opposite this scene shows the Brahmins riding away with the elephant
174.5 x 89.5 cm.
mounted as banner
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