Story Of Amrapali by Raghunathan T.K - HTML preview

Chapter 6

Time passed by. Years rolled by. Amba found her lifestyle changing. She found herself spending more time with young children and elderly ladies helping them to find solutions to daily problems faced in life. She indulged less and less in music and dance. She had managed to gather many young girls whom she had trained in arts of music and dance so that they can carry on the entertainment of guests and other social work. The nobles and youngmen from affluent families continued to visit but her own involvement was reducing

She still remembered the time spent with King Bimbisara, who had become a benevolent ruler. His empire continued to prosper under guidance of spiritual leaders like Budhdha. She recalled her discussions with Budhdha very vividly. The incidence at the ashram involving a child with dried flowers and her own offer of dry fruits came to her mind and she hoped Budhdha would not forget all that they talked about. She thought time had come for her to reach out to him , now that she had become old. Budhdha had not visited Vaishali for along time as he was busy travelling the length and breadth of this vast country, slowly emerging as a spiritual leader of great following. She prayed every day for his return and looking for the day when some body close to her would give her the news of his arrival back in her city.

Then she heard the news. Budhdha was visiting Vaishali. People were planning a massive welcoming ceremony. He had achieved great deal of success and he was always surrounded by people. Would He condescend to meet her and spend a few moments with her, she had her own doubts.

He came and put up a temporary ashram outside Vaishali. Amrapali gathered courage to visit him and prepared for it mentally. What to wear and what to offer were the questions that occupied her mind. Years back when she had met him , she was in the prime of her youth and today she was a weather beaten elderly person. Would it make any difference to him she wondered. The ascetics liked fresh flowers and she smiled at the thought of the child debating a point about offering dried up flowers at the feet of the master. Was she a dried up flower now and is it proper to offer the same at his feet. She was amused to realise how certain questions remained unanswered for ages. She sought consolation in the response made to the child , it is the thought that matters and not the action itself. But today she knew what her action should be.That made her look forward to the meeting with him.

She saw him from a distance. He had become old and his body had shrunk. His face and eyes still retained their glow. He moved slowly. His tone which was once deep and assertive had now become soft and mellowed

She walked up to him, bent on her knees lowering herself gracefully , put her head to his feet. She stayed in that position for sometime trembling with emotion. Years of waiting had opened the flood gates an d tears flowed freely making his feet wet. She hoped he would bend and help her to lift herself. He  looked her closely. She also had become old. Her splendid body had slackened. Her aristocratic bearing had remained in tact and the sweet glow of her beautiful face had not lost the shine. He knew she was crying .He waited for a moment and then bent his body to help her to stand up saying,” Did you think , I would ever forget you .I came when it was proper time to meet you. What have you brought to offer?“

She was thrilled that he had helped her to stand up .She now saw meaning in every act and word uttered by him. Offer, what had she brought to offer, oh my whole body sir, she wanted to say but remained silent. From the folds of her garment she opened a pocket containing large size dry grapes and took them in her soft hands. Still on her knees she lifted her hands so that he could see what she had to offer,’ Oh ,dry grapes’ he said. He bent down and held her two hands with his hands in an intimate gesture that sent waves of happiness through her body.He told her , ”Do you remember , Amba  last time you met me you brought with you handful of dry dates and dry grapes. earlier, you had told the child to offer flowers at my feet. Now you have brought dry grapes. I see the connection between these items you have offered. Now tell me what I should do for you”

Sir, if you have noticed the connection, you must know what is there in my heart. You have offered to do  some thing for me. I will be very grateful to you , if you will kindly visit my place in the garden,  I wish to receive you at my place,

Can you please come?

Budhdha thought for some time and said , ”Ever since I returned to Vaishali , many of your friends wanted me to visit them at their houses. I declined to agree to their request saying an ascetic’s place is his ashram.  Now you are asking me to visit your place. I have a fairly right idea of what you are  going to ask me once I am at your place. Knowing that would it be proper for me to visit. Wont the nobles take offence.

Sir, I see the point. I wanted to spend a few moments with you alone. It does not  matter  now. You can inform all the nobles that you will meet all of them at my place. That would satisfy every one

Amba, you have always tried to meet other people’s needs before satisfying your own needs. I respect you for that. It does not matter what nobles will think. I will visit your place .I have a great deal of things to tell you.

Amra  heard him with increasing joy. Her breasts swelled up in pleasure and she wanted to get up and dance and sing. She stood up with a big smile on her face and said ‘Thank you sir , I will be waiting for you’

The day arrived. Amrapali had decorated her place with colourful lamps and flowers. She had prepared new song in his honour and trained her girls to sing  when he arrived. She made sure the recital would be proper in keeping with dignity of her visitor.

Nobles turned up first and occupied their seats.Budhdha arrived and was received by the chief of nobles. The girls went through recital, with Amba herself bringing the music to proper ending. The song was dedicated to Budhdha. He gave his normal sermon and soon the crowd disappeared leaving Budhdha alone with Amrapali.

Budhdha felt it was time to meet the requirement of Amba after removing all confusion in her mind. He sat near her forgetting he was the  mentor and she his  ward. He took from his cloth bag , a bundle which he opened. Amba watched with interest. He showed some dry dates and grapes, and she smiled .He watched her face, ”Amba, I think you were for some time confused as to what you should be doing. The talk about the fresh flowers revealed it to me. At that time you were young and vivacious. You had entertained the king. You wanted to offer your self to me but did not know if it was proper. When the flowers dried up the child asked if it was proper to place them at my feet. I said actions are not important only the thoughts decide the fate of things to happen. You offered dry dates and grapes that day. These two fruits represent very intricate concepts in life. A date when young is fleshy sweet and lasts for long time..As long as flesh and form is present lot of flies keep sticking to it, which are difficult to dislodge in time. You were in similar situation. Some people are like dates. They retain their charm for a long time in life. Dates become dry , dis figured and hard when they  become old. Yet it is considered as food . But not every one can enjoy a dry hard date fruit. It has to be pounded out of shape before it can be consumed as food. Dry grape is different. It also starts life with  lot of juice and flesh in its small frame. When it becomes dry and old, it still retains its sweetness and usefulness. You don’t have to cut or pound it

Amba. You offered me dry grapes. You have become old and you wish to get away from the life that you had adapted for yourself. You have been wondering if it was time to take up new life associating with me. I read all that when we met last time. Be relieved my dear.  I  accept what you have to offer with same dignity and grace  that you brought with you. You can associate with me and my work as you wish. Amba was overwhelmed with hither to unknown sense of fulfilment at last.She said softly,”Sir thank you . You read my thoughts very correctly. I wish to offer myself body and soul for your work. I seek admission into your Sanga. Please offer me shelter under your care.”

She went round him three times uttering loudly the three gems of mantra

Budhdham charanam gachchami

Dharmam charanam gachchami

Sangam charanam gachhami

Amrapali passed into history. The garden  and the house she offered to the sanga was  maintained for long by the budhdhists.It was  visited by the Chinese traveller Fa hien and described in his travelogue.

END