Kizil Cave 213: Milinda Jataka

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

Originally at the top of the left wall in the main chamber, this mural depicts a story from the Sutra on the Collection of the Six Perfections, wherein the merchant Milinda receives retribution in hell for his unfilial acts.
The story begins at the right and consists of six scenes. First, Milinda’s mother prays to the gods for a son in a scene that has been broken off. In the second scene, Milinda refuses to listen to his mother, and follows other merchants to seek treasures at sea. Prior to their departure, Milinda confers with these merchants and ignores his mother, who kneels on the ground begging him to stay. The third scene displays the merchant ship sinking after being attacked by a vicious makara. Four figures are seen desperately trying to save themselves as they, adrift at sea, cling to the remnants of their sunken ship. Milinda, in the bottom left corner, clings to a piece of wood. The fourth scene shows that Milinda has reached the shore and stands before a silver castle. Four beautiful women holding flowers and fruits welcome him with smiles. In the fifth scene, Milinda lives a luxurious existence in the silver castle, and the four women dance around him. The murals omit scenes of Milinda’s subsequent visits to the gold, crystal, and glass castles. In the sixth scene, Milinda is captured by a ghost in an iron castle. The ghost places a red-hot iron wheel on the young man’s head.