Amrapali
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Amrapāli, also known as "Ambapālika" or "Ambapali", was a nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of the republic of Vaishali in ancient India around 500 BC.[1] Following the Buddha's teachings she became an arahant. She is mentioned in the old Pali texts and Buddhist traditions, particularly in conjunction with the Buddha staying at her mango grove, Ambapali vana which she later donated to his order, and wherein he preached the famous Ambapalika Sutta.[2][3][4][5]
Early life
Ambapali or Amrapali was of unknown parentage, and was given her name because at her birth she was found at the foot of a mango tree in one of the royal gardens in Vaishali.[citation needed] (Etymologically, the variants on her name derive from a combination of two Sanskrit words: "amra", meaning mango, and "pallawa", meaning young leaves or sprouts.[6]
Courtesan
Ambapali grew to be a lady of extraordinary beauty, charm, and grace. Many young nobles of the republic desired her company. To avoid confrontations among her suitors, she was accorded the status of state courtesan of Vaishali. Stories of her beauty travelled to the ears of Bimbisara[citation needed], king of the hostile neighbouring kingdom of Magadha. He attacked[citation needed] Vaishali, and took refuge in Ambapali's house[citation needed]. Bimbisara was a good musician. Before long, Ambapali and Bimbisara fell in love[citation needed]. When she learned his true identity, Ambapali asked Bimbisara to leave and cease his war. Bimbisara, smitten with love, did as she asked[citation needed]. In the eyes of the people of Vaishali, this incident made him a coward. Later, Amrapali bore him a son named Vimala Kondanna. Ajatashatru, Bimbisara's son by another woman, took revenge by invading Vaishali. He was so moved by her beauty that when Ambapali was imprisoned, he burned the whole of Vaishali. Almost everyone died in the massacre, except his Beloved Ambapali, but when she saw the condition of her motherland, she renounced her love to him.
At one time, Ambapali desired the privilege of serving food to the Buddha. The Buddhist traditions state that Buddha accepted the invitation against the wishes of the ruling aristocracy of Vaishali due to King Ajatshatru.[citation needed] Ambapali received the Buddha with her retinue, and offered meals to him. Soon thereafter, she renounced her position as courtesan, accepted the Buddhist way, and remained an active supporter of the Buddhist order.
On growing up, Vimala Kondanna too became a Buddhist monk.
In popular culture
Amrapali has also been the subject of a biopic, Amrapali (1966), starring Vyjayanthimala as Amrapali and Sunil Dutt as King Ajatshatru.[7]
Bollywood actress Hema Malini produced, directed, and starred in a TV Series called Women of India which showed the story of Amrapali. The music for the Amrapali segment of the TV Series was composed by composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, in conjunction with composer Ravindra Jain.
Amrapali has also been a subject of various books including Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu a Hindi novel by Acharya Chatursen and a more recent work in English, The Legend of Amrapali by author Anurag Anand.
Popular mythology and historical serial creator Sagar Arts announced that they are planning to make a historical serial on the legend of Amrapali on Star Plus.
Notes
- ^ History of Vaishali
- ^ Ambapaali vana Pali dictionary.
- ^ Khanna, p. 45
- ^ Ambapaali Sutta Pali dictionary.
- ^ "Amrapali's Encounter with The Handsome Renunciate". The Times of India. Jun 30, 2006.
- ^ "Ambapali or Amrapali c 600 BCE - India".
- ^ Amrapali at IMDb
References
- Khanna, Anita (2004). Stories Of The Buddha. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 81-7011-913-8.
- Vyasa & Vigneswara Malayalam Novel written by Anand
- Novel: Vaishali ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen, 1948
- Khuddaka Nikaya, part 9 (Therigatha) Canto 13
- Digha Nikaya 16 (Mahaparinibbanasutta - part 2, 16-26)
- Malalasekera: Buddhist Dictionary of Pali Proper Names (s.v.)
- The Legend of Amrapali by Anurag Anand [1]
