The narrative was identifiied by Goloubew (1927, 16).
King Janaka of Videha believed that a person’s willpower was responsible for his successes. Once he was rescued from a shipwreck by a deity after he managed to keep afloat for a while on the sheer strength of his will. His will power also helped him secure the kingship of Mithilā as also Princess Sīvalī’s hand. But Janaka was aiming even higher, he wished to be free of all human desires and live as a hermit. He refused to hold dance performances in his court and was not at all amused at the sight of animals that roamed in his park. He had decided to leave the palace and renounce the worldly life. Even the seven hundred ladies of his court could not make him change his mind. Nor was he moved by the double blow of a fire in his palace and the capture of his kingdom by forest tribes.
When he left his palace with his advisors, a forest hermit, Nārada, asked him why he had taken this tough decision. He replied that a person could lead a free and happy life without belongings and possessions. He anointed his son the king on Sīvalī’s request and asked her to follow him on the path to renunciation. The queen was infuriated when Janaka ate food discarded by a dog. So Janaka decided to leave his wife and go alone. He observed that if one bangle was worn it would not make a noise and a bow maker was able to check the curvature of the bow with closed eyes. On the basis of these two observations, he asked his wife to leave him and decided to remain alone for the rest of his life.—King Janaka was none other than the Buddha in a former existence.
Ajanta, Cave 1, hall, left wall. Shankhapala on left and Janaka on right (#59, #45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. III)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 5: ”In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 4-5. Episode 4 (below): ‘Accompanied by his son on horseback as well as by armed men, standard-bearers and musicians, the king is leaving his palace atop his elephant.’ Episode 5 (above): ‘In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 5, detail: ”In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-3. Episode 1 (above): ‘In a hall of his palace, the king is acquainting his wife with his idea of going to leave his kingdom and live as a hermit.’ EPISODE 3 (below): ‘During the treating of cotton, the arm movements of one of the maid servant who bears two bangles on one of her arms are making a sound, while the single bangle on the arm of another remains silent.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Gallery Template 2
Scenes 1-5
#45 Janaka (Ajanta Cave 1 > hall > left wall)
‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard’ (Schlingloff 2013, I: 218).
The brahmana Narada is seen seated in the centre of the photo while King Janaka is seen on the right. Other memmbers of the king’s entourage are seated around while deer are also seated listening to the teaching of the forest hermit.
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 5: ”In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)
Gallery Template 5
White Irises
Ogawa Kazumasa
Cherry Blossom
Ogawa Kazumasa
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
White Irises
Ogawa Kazumasa
#41 Kalyanakarin
Scenes 9, 10, and 12
Scene 9 (centre): ‘In the palace, the king is hearing from the princess with utter amazement of the restoration of Klyanakarin’s eyesight.’ Scene 10 (left of centre): ‘In the queen’s palace, the princess is telling her mother of the happening.’ Scene 12 (right): ‘Kalyanakarin is leaving his father-in-law’s palace in a splendid procession, to return to his father’s kingdom.’ Reference: Schlingloff #41 (2013: I, 191-92). Location: Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall.
GooGallery Template 6
Rusty Padlock – FooGallery Sample Image 1
White Sandcastle – FooGallery Sample Image 2
Scottish Shoreline – FooGallery Sample Image 3
Pipeline – FooGallery Sample Image 4
Deserted Hotel – FooGallery Sample Image 5
Irish Shoreline – FooGallery Sample Image 6
FooGallary Template 7
Ajanta Cave 1. Exterior.
Ajanta, Cave 1
Ajanta Cave 1
Ajanta, Cave 1
Ajanta, Cave 1
Kadence Gallery
Ajanta, Cave 1, hall, left wall. Shankhapala on left and Janaka on right (#59, #45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. III)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 5, detail: ”In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 5: ”In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 4-5. Episode 4 (below): ‘Accompanied by his son on horseback as well as by armed men, standard-bearers and musicians, the king is leaving his palace atop his elephant.’ Episode 5 (above): ‘In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 4-5. Episode 4 (below): ‘Accompanied by his son on horseback as well as by armed men, standard-bearers and musicians, the king is leaving his palace atop his elephant.’ Episode 5 (above): ‘In the mountains, the king amidst his company is listening respectfully to the instructions of the forest-brahmin Narada.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 219)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 3: ‘During the treating of cotton, the arm movements of one of the maid servant who bears two bangles on one of her arms are making a sound, while the single bangle on the arm of another remains silent.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-3. Episode 1 (above): ‘In a hall of his palace, the king is acquainting his wife with his idea of going to leave his kingdom and live as a hermit.’ EPISODE 3 (below): ‘During the treating of cotton, the arm movements of one of the maid servant who bears two bangles on one of her arms are making a sound, while the single bangle on the arm of another remains silent.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 1: ‘In a hall of his palace, the king is acquainting his wife with his idea of going to leave his kingdom and live as a hermit.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).
Kadence Gallery (Adv): Masonry
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 1: ‘In a hall of his palace, the king is acquainting his wife with his idea of going to leave his kingdom and live as a hermit.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).
Kadence Gallery (Adv): Grid
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 1: ‘In a hall of his palace, the king is acquainting his wife with his idea of going to leave his kingdom and live as a hermit.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).
Kadencey Gallery (Adv): Slider
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODES 1-3. Episode 1 (above): ‘In a hall of his palace, the king is acquainting his wife with his idea of going to leave his kingdom and live as a hermit.’ EPISODE 3 (below): ‘During the treating of cotton, the arm movements of one of the maid servant who bears two bangles on one of her arms are making a sound, while the single bangle on the arm of another remains silent.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Kadence Gallery (Adv): Carousal
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 3: ‘During the treating of cotton, the arm movements of one of the maid servant who bears two bangles on one of her arms are making a sound, while the single bangle on the arm of another remains silent.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Janaka, EPISODE 2: ‘To dissuade the king from renouncing the world, a dance performance takes place in the palace courtyard.’ (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218)
Kadence Image (Adv)
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).
Kadence Image
Ajanta Cave 1, hall, left wall. Left: Shankhapala. Centre and right: Janaka, EPISODES 1-4 (#45, Schlingloff 2013, vol. I, 218-219).
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