Khandahala Jataka

THAILAND; Ayutthaya Kingdom

Dating from the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (circa 1350–1767), this picture from the illustrated manuscript of the Abhidharma depicts a scene from Pali Jataka No. 542, the Khandahala Jakata, which describes the Buddha’s past life as Prince Candakumara. The prince sits in lotus position in the middle of the painting, wearing a golden Thai crown and ornaments. He is about to be sacrificed to the gods by the jealous court brahmin Khandahala. However, the blue Sakra, depicted on the right side of the painting, appears with a hammer and smashes the sacrificial platform. Khandahala and another figure cower in fear at the bottom of the image. The brightly colored painting is accented with gilt. Illustrated manuscripts began to appear in Thailand during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The pictures in such manuscripts mostly illustrate the Life of the Buddha and Jataka tales.