Preface
The story of Amrapali has been told million times with different variations. Several films and TV serials have been made based on information available from Buddhist literature and Jataka tales. She remains a very popular character in the history of Buddhism due to association of Gautama Buddha with her. Seeds of conversion of Mauryan Samrat Ashok to Buddhism were sown at the time of Ashok’s grandfather Bimbisara and father Ajatasatru. Amrapali ‘s association with them paved the way for Buddhism gaining royal patronage in the huge Maghada kingdom ruled by Mauryan kings..
The present story of Amrapali narrates the events linking Bimbhisara and Gautama Buddha with Amrapali. Name assumed for Bimbisara in this story is Bindusara. The author has used his own imagination to visualise and present the story of Amrapali and does not offer any historic verification or authentication. so readers are requested to treat this story as a story and nothing more .
Vaishali and Pataliputra are two famous territories that prospered at the time of Buddha’s appearance. After one of the frequent clashes between the two states, a female infant of Royal descent was left in the care of a yogi , who brought the child up in the mango grove. Once the child came off age, he left her in the grove and moved on. The writer picks up the story from this moment onwards.
This is the second of 5 short stories written by the author, taking incidents from life of Gautama Buddha. The other books are Budhdha Parting, Rebirth of Ahimsika, Sujata, vishaka and chinchuaa.
Bharatmuni of famous Natyashstra says stories and kavyas are written to provide entertainment and mental peace to the readers. The author hopes that his presentation of Amrapali in his story serves the same purpose.
Thank you