Ajanta Cave 16: Life of the Buddha - Renunciation of Nanda

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

The mural is located on the left wall of the main hall and illustrates the story of the Buddha’s half-brother, Nanda, renouncing the secular life. As is typical of its genre, the narrative is illustrated in scenes arranged according to the location of events rather than chronological order. Parts of the mural have deteriorated.
Nanda’s renunciation is painted above the story of the Buddha returning to Kapilavastu to teach the Dharma, which is depicted in the center of the mural. On one side of the mural is Nanda’s wife, Sundari, who appears to be in despair upon realizing that her husband has renounced. On the other side of the mural, Nanda is seated in contemplation within a pavilion. The images capture the essential qualities of the story and the mural is a wonderful example of this style of narrative illustration.