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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Maha Ummagga Jataka
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Wat Suwannaram Ordination Hall: Maha Ummagga Jataka
THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period (1782–present), dated 1824–1851; By Khru Khongpae
Painted by the renowned artist Khru Khongpae during the rule of King Rama III (reigned 1824-1851), this mural depicts a scene from the Maha Ummagga Jataka, Pali Jataka No. 546. In one of his previous lives, the Buddha was born as Mahosadha in the Kingdom of Mithila. His birth was accompanied by auspicious signs, and as a youth, he impressed the King of Mithila so much with his numerous wise actions that he was named a royal adviser. Once, when King Culani led his army to Mithila and prepared to attack, Mahosadha went outside the city gates to meet Culani's emissary, the evil sage Kevatta. Knowing of Kevatta's great greed, Mahosadha offered him a glittering jewel, and then pretended to accidentally drop it to the ground. When Kevatta lunged to retrieve it, Mahosadha grabbed his shoulder and held him down. Mistaking this for a sign of submission from their emissary, King Culani's army panicked and fled.
In the upper right corner of the mural, the noble Mahosadha, clad in gold, holds down the aged Kevatta as he reaches for the jewel. On the left, soldiers from Mithila watch in delight; one covers his mouth and appears to laugh. Below, the enemy army panics, scrambling over one another as they flee. One soldier dressed in gold points upwards and appears to tremble in fear. A dark background, rarely seen in older Thai murals, heightens the effect of the fine details and bright colors. |
