Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s8.7

v4.c16.s8.7

The second incident of the story, depicting the natural beauty of the lake in which the Six-tusked Elephant bathed with his herd, is shown in the lower part of the fresco. A large portion of the painting has been destroyed, yet the charm of the white lotus-flowers springing from the banks of the lake, the elephants of the herd plucking flowers in order to decorate their lord, the Six-tusked Elephant, the pairs of white ducks in mirthful mood, the belts of hills and over them the denizens of the forest, the wolves, the apes, and also the tribesmen of the jungle, and behind them lovely trees in blossom, and also ferns and creepers with leaves of exquisite shape and delicacy sprouting from the joints of the hillside—all present a panorama richer in detail and more vivid in effect than can be visualized from the text of the *Jātaka* alone.³ To show the benevolent and gentle nature of the Six-tusked Elephant, the painter has placed one of the pair of wolves on the rump of the benign animal, who is not annoyed by the temerity of the beast. The incident is being watched from above the hill by a human pair, representing the tribesmen of the forest. The male figure holds a bow and a sheaf of arrows,⁴ and has a dagger in his belt; the woman has an ornament round her arms and three strings of beads round her waist. The lower part of her body is scantily covered with leaves. The figures of the wolves, although dim in the reproduction, are very realistic and clear in the original painting. Still more realistic and graceful in form is the representation of the monkeys (*langūrs*), sitting on a ledge, to the right of the human pair. Above, the beauty of the *palāśa* tree (*Butea frondosa*) may be admired; it has burst into blossom, and the scarlet tint of its flowers contrasts attractively with the dark green of the calyx. As lac-insects feed on this tree, the artist has been so faithful in its representation that he has painted a row of black insects climbing up its trunk. No less remarkable is the skill of the painter in delineating another tree, which is shown growing to the left of the *palāśa* tree. The lilies, ferns, and thickets referred to in the legend are all represented in the fresco, and show the artist’s delight in natural beauty. As an example of his refined taste may be noted the creeper to the right of the *palāśa* tree near the end of the fresco.