Kizil Cave 38: King Sudhira Jataka

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. This Jataka from the Bodhisattva Avadana describes how King Sudhira of Puskaravati practiced great compassion. One day, an officer from the neighboring kingdom asked for and was granted refuge in King Sudhira’s kingdom. However, this angered the neighboring king. He therefore devised a scheme whereby he would send a blind brahmin to ask Sudhira for his eyes. When Sudhira granted the brahmin’s wish, Sakra was so touched and moved by his act of compassion, that he magically restored the king’s vision.
King Sudhira, depicted in the center of the painting, is seated beneath a tree on a high rectangular throne. His upper body is bare, and he wears a crown and a green stole around his body. He places his right hand at his chest and looks toward an attendant on the right, who gouges out the king’s eyes. The brahmin, seated on the left of the king, awaits his new eyes.