The artwork presents a fantastical and vivid interpretation of a spiritual and allegorical journey, as described in the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Fundamental Vow Sutra. The central figure is a representation of contemplative enlightenment, embodying the narrative of the Brahman woman's meditation to discern her mother's fate in the afterlife. Surrounded by a surreal landscape that blurs the boundaries between the terrestrial and the celestial, the image evokes a sea boiling with tumultuous energy, reflecting the chaotic and intense experience of the karmic seas. Beasts of iron and fearsome yaksas symbolize the beings that inhabit this metaphysical realm, representing the negative karma that ensnares and torments the souls of the departed.

The figure at the heart of this scene, peaceful amidst the chaos, is the embodiment of the meditative state achieved by the Brahman woman, suggesting her unwavering mindfulness and inner strength. The ghostly figure before her, the ghost king Vandana, acts as a guide, providing exposition about the karmic forces at play in this vivid depiction of the Buddhist concept of hellish realms, where the souls of the departed face the consequences of their actions in life.

In the background, the opposing elements of the sun and sea create a duality that speaks to the balance of fear and tranquility experienced by the protagonist during her otherworldly journey. Overall, the artwork is a complex tapestry, intertwining the allegory of the sutra with intense visual metaphors to invite the viewer into a deeper contemplation of the consequences of actions and the pursuit of spiritual understanding.