Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara Lower Temple: Telapatta Jataka

SRI LANKA, Southern Province

This cliff mural illustrates scenes from Pali Jataka No. 96, the Telapatta Jataka. The jataka describes one of the past lives of Buddha, when he was the Prince of Varanasi. While on his way to Takkasila, the prince met a beautiful yaksa who tried to seduce him, but he remained vigilant and unmoved. The yaksa used her charms on the king of Takkasila instead. The king was enchanted, and brought her into his palace. Once inside, the yaksa revealed her true form and ate the king. When the people of Takkasila heard of this, they praised the prince for his wisdom and invited him to be their new king. The story warns that a practitioner should constantly guard the mind as if carrying a bowl filled with oil to the rim. In the mural, the king of Takkasila is shown riding a white elephant. He wears a magnificent crown and holds a sword. Soldiers and attendants stand beside the elephant. Colorful trees are painted in the background. The rich use of colors are features of the Southern School.