Bharhut: Ruru Jataka

INDIA, Madhya Pradesh, Bharhut

The medallion illustrates, in composite fashion, a former rebirth of the Buddha as a golden deer. From the bottom, three events highlight the deer Ruru saving a merchant’s son from drowning in a river. The man is shown riding upon the deer’s back as they move towards the shore. In the story, Ruru asks the man not to mention his existence. However, the man reports the location of the deer to the king when he learns of the reward offered for the animal’s capture. The man is seen pointing to the deer on the right as the king draws back his bow. In the center, the deer explains to the king how he has come to be betrayed, but intervenes when the king wishes to shoot the betrayer instead. The king and his retinue join their palms in reverence at Ruru’s generosity.
There is a sophisticated circularity in the narration that fits the form of the medallion, revolving round Ruru, who is seated at the center. An arc runs from the man pointing and continues through the king to the trees beyond and into the herd of deer below them. One of the deer turns to drink from the river from which the merchant’s son is being rescued, thus bringing the narrative back to the second portrayal of the king on the bank, listening, and looking on in wonder.