Cave 1

- Janaka

This painting is found in Cave 1 on the left aisle. It takes place in two locations, the palace and the forest. It also contains the famous scene of the dancing girl.

King Janaka had informed his queen Shivali that he wanted to renounce the material world in order to become a hermit. She calls for dancers and musicians in order to keep Janaka busy in the sensual world of pleasures and desires. Janaka leaves the kingdom with his retinue to pay a visit to his spiritual teacher. At the forest, Janaka bows down in front of his teacher. Later at the palace, Janaka watches a woman wearing only a single bangle work quietly while another wearing two bangles makes too much noise. Seeing this he realises that he must pursue his spiritual goals alone and steadfastly.