Karmic theme here is about the all-conquering power of love, akin to the rising tide of Mercury the planet which has the capacity to control the mind. The painting portrays the legendary love of Crown Prince Saliya for a pretty outcast girl Asokamala that led to his fall from grace. But they overcame the adversity to be honored in posterity in the famous ancient stone carving known today as the Isurumuniya Lovers.