Vessantara's children are cared for as Jujaka sleeps, chapter 11 from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)

Chapter 11—Vessantara's children are cared for as Jujaka sleeps

According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived through hundreds of previous existences before achieving buddhahood. In his nextto- last existence he was a prince named Vessantara who perfected the virtue of charity through boundless generosity. When brahmans from a drought-stricken neighboring kingdom asked him for his own kingdom's rain-bringing white elephant, he gave it. His people angrily sent him into exile. Before leaving, however, he dispensed enormous riches. Later, on the way to the forest retreat with his wife and children, Vessantara was asked first for their horses, then for their chariot, both of which he readily bestowed. Eventually he gave away his children to the brahman Jujaka, and he was only prevented from giving away his wife by a gentle trick played by the god Indra. Meanwhile the children were ransomed from Jujaka by their grandfather; Jujaka, enjoying his new life of wealth and luxury, died from overindulgence. Grandparents and grandchildren were reunited with Vessantara and his wife, and they all returned to the capital, where Vessantara resumed his royal duties.

In this painting, Jujaka, after acquiring the children from Vessantara, has tied them to a tree so that they cannot run away and has gone to sleep in a hammock. Celestial beings take pity on the children and assume the appearance of their mother and father to comfort them through the night. The children are shown again, this time sleeping soundly in the arms of their substitute parents.

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.