2-999-836 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Vessantara Jataka, Chapter 1 (Ten Boons), c1850-1870. Before her rebirth on earth as Vessantara's mother, Queen Phusati resided in heaven as the primary queen of Indra, king of the gods. When it became time for Phusati to be reborn on earth, she appeared before Indra, and he granted her ten wishes for her future life. These included marriage to a king and having a generous son. In Thai paintings, Indra's heaven is often depicted as a walled compound with great riches, alluded to here by trees bearing abundant fruit.