Ajanta Cave 17: King Srutasoma Jataka

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

The mural is painted on the left side of the back wall within the main hall. The story tells of Saudasa, the cannibal son of a lioness mother and the King of Benares, and his encounter with Srutasoma, the kind-hearted King of Indraprastha.
One day, after ascending to the throne, Saudasa was mistakenly served human flesh. His cannibalistic craving thereafter grew until he began to demand human flesh for his meals every day. This agitated the citizens of Benares, eventually leading to a revolt. Saudasa was forced to flee and he hid away in a nearby forest. One day, he came upon the gentle Srutasoma, who was on his way to hear the teachings of a great sage. Saudasa attacked Srutasoma, intent upon eating him. Srutasoma requested that he be granted one more day to live so he could hear the teachings of the wise sage, after which he promised to return. Saudasa agreed, and when Srutasoma returned the following day, bringing the words of the Dharma with him, Saudasa was so impressed that he gave up cannibalism and thereafter devoted his life to a peaceful existence.
The mural displays sequential images of Saudasa and the events of his life, including: Saudasa’s lioness mother holding the infant Saudasa in her mouth, the young Saudasa receiving his education and inheriting the throne; the palace chef cooking human flesh; Saudasa being expelled from the country by his citizens, living in the forest, and other events. In the detail shown here, the lioness approaches Saudasa’s father, the king, who is seated upon a throne. Court attendants surround the king as he takes the baby Saudasa in his arms.