Amrapali

Āmrapālī, also known as Ambapālika, Ambapali, or Amra was a celebrated nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of the Republic of Vaishali (located in present-day Bihar) in ancient India around 500 BC. Amrapali also won the title of rajnartaki (court dancer). Following the Buddha's teachings, she became an arahant. She is mentioned in the old Pali texts and Buddhist traditions (āgama sutras), 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 Sutra.

Early life "Amrapali greets Buddha", ivory carving, National Museum, New Delhi. Amrapali was a celebrated nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of the republic of Vaishali in ancient India In Myanmar Buddhism, she was born numinously under a mango tree without birth by human. So, she is called by Amrapali (mean the mango tree born lady).

Amrapali was born around 600-500 BCE, to Mahanama & an unknown mother. Etymologically, the variants on her name derive from a combination of two Sanskrit words: amra, meaning mango, and pallawa, meaning young leaves or sprouts. It is said that she was spontaneously born at the foot of a mango tree in one of the royal gardens in Vaishali — hence her name.

Even as a young maiden, Amrapali was exceptionally beautiful and ethereal. It is said that a feudal lord by the name of Mahanaman was so enchanted by the young Amrapali's beauty that she abandoned his kingdom and moved to Ambara village, a small hamlet in Vaishali presently in Muzaffarpur.

As a courtesan Vaishali was the capital city of the Licchavi tribe, one of the eight Khattiya (Sanskrit Kshatriya) clans that had united to form the Vajjian confederacy. The king was elected by an electoral college consisting of princes and nobles from the Kshatriya clans. It was customary that the most beautiful women in the land, rather than marrying one man, dedicated themselves to the pleasure of many.

Amrapali grew up to be a lady of extraordinary charm and grace, and was talented in many art forms. Her talent and beauty attracted so many men that the glory of Vaishali during this period is often attributed to Amrapali's fame.

Legends associated with Amrapali

Amrapali and Bimbisara Stories of her beauty travelled to the ears of Bimbisara, king of the hostile neighbouring kingdom of Magadha. He attacked Vaishali, and took refuge in Amrapali's house. Bimbisara was a good musician. Before long, Amrapali and Bimbisara fell in love. When she learned his true identity, Amrapali asked Bimbisara to leave and cease his war. Bimbisara, smitten with love, did as she asked. 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 Queen Chellana (according to Jaina traditions) or Queen Kosala Devi (according to Buddhist traditions), later invaded Vaishali due to a dispute with his brothers. He was so moved by her beauty that when Amrapali was imprisoned, he burned the whole of Vaishali. Almost everyone died in the massacre, except his beloved Amrapali, but when she saw the condition of her motherland, she renounced her love for him.

Amrapali and the Buddha In Buddhist records, Amrapali is noted as having had the opportunity to serve food to the Buddha during his last visit to Vaishali, shortly before his death. Amrapali attended his sermon at a nearby grove and was so deeply moved by it that she invited him for a meal at her quarters. In other accounts, it is stated that the Buddha himself took shelter in her mango groves and was visited by Amrapali who paid her obeisance to him and then extended the invitation. He consented to her proposal with silence. Buddha also turns them down, having already committed to Amrapali.

Buddha recognised her beauty and advised his disciples to be mindful in her presence lest they become infatuated with her. It was no less than the palace of any king; and Amrapali (1966), starring Vyjayanthimala as Amrapali and Sunil Dutt as Emperor Ajatashatru. Bollywood actress Hema Malini produced, directed, and starred in a television series called Women of India, which depicted the story of Amrapali. The music for the Amrapali segment of the series was composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar along with Ravindra Jain. Amrapali has been the subject of various books, including Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu, a 1948 Hindi novel by Acharya Chatursen, and Ambapali, a 1962 novel by Vimala Raina. A recent work in English, The Legend of Amrapali: An Enchanting Saga Buried Within the Sands of Time, was completed by author Anurag Anand in 2012. A television series, Amrapali, was telecast on DD National in 2002. Amrapali is also mentioned in the book 'Heroines' by historian writer Ira Mukhoty.