Ajanta Cave 1: Maitribala Narrative (Schlingloff No. 50; Plan Adapted from Fergusson & Burgess 1880, Pl. XL)
This photograph showcases the floor plan of Ajanta Cave 1, highlighting the location of the interior wall featuring the narrative of King Maitribala. The plan provides a detailed view of the cave’s layout, indicating precisely where the narrative is depicted. This specific portrayal of King Maitribala’s story is an integral part of the cave’s extensive array of murals, reflecting the unique artistry and cultural narratives of the time.
Ajanta Cave 1: Maitribala Narrative (Schlingloff No. 50), Scenes 1-2. (© Author; ASI Permission)
This photograph showcases the preserved sections of the narrative depicting King Maitribala’s story in Ajanta Cave 1, with only scenes 1 and 2 remaining intact. Regrettably, the additional segments once painted above and below these scenes have been lost over time.
Scene 1 (left): King Maitrībala is artistically rendered, seated in his palace alongside the queen, amidst the royal household. The composition captures a contemplative moment, likely discussing the virtues of benevolence—a recurring theme in such narratives.
Scene 2 (right): This pastoral scene portrays two demons seated near a herd of cows, a serene yet powerful depiction of tranquility amidst chaos. According to Ārya Śūra’s Jātakamālā (ĀJM) or Bodhisatvāvadānamālā, originally five demons were present. The scene’s pastoral calm is further accentuated by the missing cowherd figure, previously described by Yazdani as ‘… a pastoral scene in which we see twelve oxen of different colours—red, green, and white. There are also two cowherds, one of a ruddy complexion and the other greenish,’ (Yazdani 1930, I, p. 45).
Scene 3 (below left) & Scene 4 (below right): Both are no longer preserved. It is conjectured that Scene 3 depicted a dramatic court scene with Rākṣasas asking for food, while Scene 4 likely portrayed the king’s ultimate sacrifice, offering himself to the Rākṣasas. These descriptions are based on the thematic elements typically found in narratives of this era and region.
For more comprehensive details and scholarly interpretations of these scenes, please refer to Schlingloff (2013, 1.I. p. 239), Singh (2017, p. 34), and Singh (2019, pp. 18-19).
Ajanta Cave 1: Maitribala Narrative (Schlingloff No. 50), Scene 1. (© Author; ASI Permission)
In this scene from the Maitribala Narrative at Ajanta Cave 1, King Maitribala is depicted seated within the regal confines of his palace, accompanied by the queen. They are ensconced in the midst of their royal household, embodying the grandeur and solemnity of their status. The composition of the scene suggests a moment of intimate discussion between the king and his consort, focused on the lofty subject of benevolence. The detailed depiction of figures and their expressions captures the essence of this narrative, illustrating the revered virtues of compassion and wisdom that are central to the tale.
For further details on these scenes and their interpretations, refer to Schlingloff (2013, 1.I. p. 239), Singh (2017, p. 36), and Singh (2019, pp. 18-19).
Ajanta Cave 1: Maitribala Narrative (Schlingloff No. 50), Scene 2. (© Author; ASI Permission)
This photograph captures a scene of two demons seated near a herd of cows, part of the Maitribala narrative in Ajanta Cave 1. Āryasura’s Jātakamālā (ĀJM) or Bodhisatvāvadānamālā mentions that originally there were five demons, a detail that highlights the narrative’s complexity. Yazdani (1930, I, p. 45) initially mistook these figures for cowherds, noting ‘…two cowherds, one of a ruddy complexion and the other greenish,’ reflecting the interpretive challenges and rich detail in the mural’s depiction.
The cattle, depicted as grazing peacefully, suggest a moment of tranquility. However, the figure of the cowherd, which was part of this pastoral composition, is no longer preserved. Yazdani’s description of the scene includes ‘twelve oxen of different colours—red, green, and white,’ providing a glimpse into the original vibrancy and detail of the mural.
For further details and scholarly interpretations of this scene, refer to Schlingloff (2013, 1.I. p. 239), Singh (2017, pp. 38-39), and Singh (2019, pp. 18-19).
Ajanta Cave 1: Maitribala Narrative (Schlingloff No. 50), Scene 2, detail. (© Author; ASI Permission)
This photograph provides a detailed view of the demons preserved in the Ajanta Cave 1 painting, offering a close-up that highlights their distinct features alongside some of the cattle depicted nearby. The proximity of the serene cattle to the carnivorous demons creates a striking contrast within the scene.
Schlingloff’s scholarly analysis sheds light on the depiction of these demons, noting that in Ārya Śūra’s Jātakamālā (ĀJM) or Bodhisatvāvadānamālā, these characters are originally mentioned as appearing in the guise of brahmans. However, the Ajanta painters chose to represent them in their true demonic form, a significant departure from the textual narrative. This artistic choice underscores the visual medium’s power to convey underlying truths and intentions, in this case, emphasizing the demons’ true nature beyond human disguise. This adaptation serves to enhance the visual narrative’s impact, making the malevolent nature of the demons unmistakably clear to the viewer.
