Kizil Cave 38: King Srutasoma Jataka

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling within the main chamber. According to the “Chapter on Angulimalya” in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, when King Srutasoma traveled to the outskirts of the city with the palace maidens to bathe, a brahmin begged the king for donations. The king consented to make offerings to the brahmin after he returned to the palace. While Srutasoma was bathing, a flying raksasa captured him and was about to eat him. King Srutasoma begged the raksasa to allow him return to his palace to make the offerings, promising to then accept his destiny. The raksasa was touched by his resolve, released the king, and stopped eating human beings thereafter.
This painting depicts the scene where the flying raksasa captures King Srutasoma. The raksasa spreads his blue wings to glide through the air and grab King Srutasoma’s waist with one arm and his neck with the other. A maiden within the rectangular pool is located at the bottom of the painting. She stands with her left hand to her cheek and the right hand at her waist, raising her head to watch the frightening scene in the air.