Chujok
In another village, there is an old Brahmin called Chujok. His spouse is pretty a young girl who marries him to repay the family debts. Her faithful care of the rather repulsive Chujok only provokes the ire of the other village women since it makes their husbands demand the same uncomplaining attention. Chujok 's wife forces him to find a servant when she refused to fetch water any longer. Having no money, and as a last resort, he decides to test the fabled generosity of Vessantara by asking for his children.

Vessantara is at first shocked and angry when the Chujok asks him for the children as servants. Then he realizes that he has only given away his material possessions, never anything that was a part of his own being. He explains this to the children and asks them to help him in the great sacrifice. Jali assents gladly but his sibling Kanha was reluctant. Vessantara, agreeing to a large sum of ransom money, hands them to the Brahmin.

The old Chujok takes the children away, driving them ahead of him through the forest and treating them cruelly. They escape once and return to the hermitage but Vessantara will not let them break a bargain and makes them return to Chujok.

When Madsi returns from the mountain she finds the children gone. Vessantara, fearing to add to her grief, will not speak. She falls into death-like faint. Later he explained to her of his great sacrifices. Another old man appears and asks for his wife. This is actually Sakka, the god, who has assumed the old man's form. After Vessantara has passed the test, Sakka resumes his divine form and returns Madsi, binding her over to his care.

Chujok finally loses the children and they make their way back to the palace of their grandparents, the King and Queen. When he hears their story the King is angry with Prince Vessantara but Jali explains the ultimate test of his generosity. The King finally understands and orders that Vessantara be brought back from exile. He then pays Chujok the agreed sum for ransom of his grandchildren. Chujok wastes the ransom money lavishly on wine, women and dies from gluttony.

The story ends when the King and the court set off for the forest to bring back Vessantara from exile. They remain at the hermitage for a month, feasting and celebrating until a smooth road could be prepared for the triumphal return to their kingdom

5.Journey to the Hermitage There is plenty of rough village humor in this scene and the taunting is conveyed by explicit gestures as shown in the bottom of the painting. The middle section illustrates Chujok in the forest asking his way and tricking the wise hermit to show the way to the hermitage. The Brahmin pretending to be a messenger from the King invites Vessantara to return. 173 x 89 cm. mounted as banner Sale Inquiry

6.Giving Away His Children When Chujok arrives Madsi is on the mountain gathering berries. The gods, knowing that she will not understand the tests of Vessantara's generosity, turn themselves into wild animals and hold her at bay. The section depicts Madsi kneeling in front of wild animals inside a dark tunnel-like background. The other scenes show the Brahmin asking for the children and leading them away. In the topmost right hand corner, Chujok sleeps on top of a tree safe from snakes and scorpions while he tied the children up for the night. 172 x 90 cm. mounted as banner Sale Inquiry

[Contents] | [Introduction] | [Vessantara] | [Giving Away] | [Chujok] | [The Return] [Subject] | [Style] | [Other Paintings] | [Readings & Links] | [Sign Book] | [View Book]