Vessantara gives away his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)

According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived through hundreds of previous existences before achieving buddhahood. In his next-to-last existence he was a prince named Vessantara who perfected the virtue of charity through boundless generosity.

When brahmans from a drought-stricken neighbor kingdom asked Vessantara for his own kingdom's rain-bringing white elephant, he gave it to them. His own people angrily sent him into exile; before leaving, however, he dispensed enormous riches. Later, on the way to a forest retreat with his wife and children, Vessantara was asked first for his family's horses then for their chariot, which of course he readily bestowed. Eventually he gave away his children to the brahman Jujaka, and was only prevented from giving away his wife by a gentle trick played by the Hindu god Indra. Meanwhile the children were ransomed by their grandfather from Jujaka, who died of overindulgence in his new life of wealth and luxury. Grandparents and grandchildren were reunited with Vessantara and his wife, and all returned to the capital, where Vessantara resumed his royal duties.

In the painting, Vessantara gives his children to Jujaka, again pouring water. In the upper right Jujaka is seen whipping the children as he pulls them away.

Paintings such as this were produced in sets to illustrate the major episodes of the holy story of Prince Vessantara. These paintings were displayed and referred to during elaborate recitations of the story at annual temple festivals.