Goli: Sasa Jataka

INDIA, Andhra Pradesh, Goli

The carving was unearthed from Goli and is thought to date from the Ikshvaku period (circa 3rd–4th century). Elements in the carving shows influence from the Nagarjunakonda style. Only the highlights of the story as related in Pali Jataka No. 316 of the Sasa Jataka is depicted. It tells of the Buddha’s former rebirth as a rabbit who befriends a monkey, a jackal, and an otter. Together they vow to observe the precepts and practice generosity. Sakra manifests himself as a brahmin begging for food in order to test the rabbit. The rabbit asks the brahmin to make a fire and jumps into it so as to provide a meal from its own cooked flesh.
The carving shows a man squatting between a hut and a fire he is tending on the far right. A group of animals and people gather on the other side. The monkey holds some fruit in its hands, the otter has a fish in its mouth, while the jackal carries a piece of meat. The rabbit, having nothing but grass to offer, is preparing to leap into the fire. The crowned figure who stands among the animals is Sakra, whom later reveals himself. A stupa located in the background signifies the rabbit’s eventual destiny.