Ajanta Cave 2: Vidhurapandita Jataka

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

This mural is located on the right wall of the main hall. The story is found in the Pali Jataka No. 545, and tells of the Buddha’s past life as the wise and widely respected minister of King Dhananjaya named Vidhurapandita. The Naga King, Varuna, heard a discourse by Vidhurapandita and was so impressed that he gave him a precious wish-fulfilling jewel. When King Varuna’s wife, Queen Vimala, heard about the gift of the jewel, she became jealous. She asked the king to bring her the heart of Vidhurapandita. Around the same time, the royal couple’s daughter, Irandati, and a yaksa general named Purnaka were falling deeply in love. When they appealed to King Varuna for his consent to their marriage, he instructed Purnaka to bring him the heart of Vidhurapandita in order to gain his blessing. Purnaka, knowing he would have to convince King Dhananjaya to give up the minister, went to Dhananjaya’s court and lured the king into a game of dice. Eventually the yaksa general convinced Dhananjaya to wager his prized minister. Purnaka won the game and took Vidhurapandita, intent on taking his life. However, after finding he was unable to kill the minister, and confronted with his profound wisdom, the yaksa general instead invited Vidhurapandita back to the naga court. Upon his arrival, Vidhurapandita taught the Dharma to the royal family and quickly gained their favor.
This painting is divided into four sections. First is a scene of Purnaka luring King Dhananjaya into a game of dice. In the second scene, Dhananjaya and Vidhurapandita discuss the situation after the wager was lost. The next scene shows the minister bidding farewell to his family, and the fourth scene depicts the minister giving a teaching to Varuna, Vimala, Irandati, and Purnaka.