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JANUARY, 1977
The self-sacrifice of the monkey leader A scene from Mahakapi Jataka, Bharhut
2nd-1st century B.C.
is suggestive of as primitive a culture as that of the jungle-dwellers' of Mahadeo Hills in Madhya Pradesh whose paintings depict scenes of hunting, dancing and honey-taking.? The themes of the Māhakapi Jataka nos. I and II are also suggestive of an unvarnished and upright primitive culture not yet degenerating in violence and ingratitude.
The emblem of Abhinandana acquires an unmeasured significance in the perspective of the Buddhist annals and the story of the Rāmāyana. The latter so closely associates the monkey-hero Hanumana with the divine glory of Rama, the Ikshvaku prince of Ayodhya. Though the legend of Rama and Hanumana have created a great mural of episodes of edifying value, it is difficult to overlook that Ayodhya like Sravasti belonged to the same kingdom of Kosala. The legends associated with Vaisali and Mathura will highlight a wider perspective. As regards
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