Buddha Purnima, one of the most sacred days on the Buddhist calendar, celebrates Lord Buddha. Traditionally on this day, caged animals are set free and the fortunate share food with the poor. The imagery in this work titled after the holiday derives from a traditional Indian story, "The Monkey and the Crocodile," recounted by A. K. Ramanujuan:

"Oh, that's why you've been coming home late! A monkey that lives on such fruit must have sweet flesh. His heart must taste like heaven. I'd love to eat it," said the crocodile wife.

The crocodile didn't like the turn the conversation was taking. "How can you talk like that? He's my friend! He's like a brother-in-law to you."
But the wife sulked and said, "I want his heart. Why are you so taken with this monkey? Is it a he or a she? Bring me his heart, or hers, which is even better. Or else I'll starve myself to death."

The crocodile tried his best to talk her out of her jealousy and ill-will, but he couldn't. He agreed to bring the monkey home on his back for a meal, as it were.  link