Shyama Jataka

West Gate of Stupa #1, Sanchi

From the east face top of the north post. In this jataka story, a self-centered king shoots Shyama with a poisoned arrow, in order to find out whether Shyama is a god or a mortal. Shyama, being mortal, dies from his wound. The king then repents, and Shyama is restored to life by Indra. Shyama's hut and blind parents are shown in the upper right corner. Below, Shyama (with water jug) bathes in the lotus pond where the king's arrow strikes him. The king is shown three times (continuous narrative): drawing his bow (far left), observing the result (middle left), and finally repenting (middle, next to Shyama). In the upper left, the characters join Indra to celebrate the happy ending.