Kizil Cave 17: Syama Jataka

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is situated on the left side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling within the main chamber. According to the Samyukta Ratna Pitaka Sutra, Syama, who lived in the mountains, was very attentive to his old blind parents. One day, when he went to the pond for water, he was accidentally injured by a poisonous arrow shot by King Brahmada. The compassionate Syama did not harbor any ill will toward the king, and his compassion moved a deity to cure his wound. Thereafter, the king issued an edict that all of his people should cultivate compassion and show filial piety to their parents.
In the image, King Brahmada rides a galloping horse and stretches his bow, which aims towards Syama fetching water from the pond. Syama wears a flowing stole and holds a jug in his right hand. He kneels by the green pond and bends his body to fetch water. Seated in a grass hut, in the upper portion, are his parents. The figure in the front sits in full lotus position and forms the dhyana (meditation) mudra, while the one behind has a white stole tied around the head and wears a loose white robe. The colors of some of the faces have turned black over time.