Ambapali
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Ambapali ( about 500 BC), also called Amrapali, was a royal courtesan (or nagarvadhu) of the republic state of Vaishali, ancient India. She finds mention in the old Pali texts and Buddhist traditions. Etymologically, Ambapali or Amrapali is derived from two Sanskrit words, “amra” meaning mango and “pali”, which means leaves – thus, the literally meaning of her name is “(a child) of the mango grove”. She was so named, as she was of unknown parentage, and was found at the foot of a mango tree, at one of the royal gardens of the republic state of Vaishali .
Ambapali grew to be a lady of unsurpassed beauty, charm and grace and many young nobles of the republic wished for her company. Ultimately, to avoid confrontation, she was accorded the status of the state courtesan of the then metropolis of Vaishali, the capital city of the republic of Vaishali . Stories of her beauty traveled to the Magadha empire, a hostile neighbour of the republic state of Vaishali, and Bimbisara, the Magadha emperor became infatuated with her and she also bore a son to him, named Vimala Kondanna. Before meeting her, to combat her raving beauty , king Bimbisara was constrained to appoint a parallel courtesan for his capital city of Rajgir. Bimbisara is said to have married her during an incognito visit during his invasion of Vaishali.
Ambapali once desired to have the privilege to serve food to the Buddha. The Buddhist traditions state that the invitation was accepted by the Buddha, much against the wishes of the ruling aristocracy of Vaishali state. Ambapali received Buddha with her retinue, which was comparable to royal paraphernalia. The Buddha accepted the meals. Soon thereafter, Ambapali renounced her position of courtesan and accepted Buddhist faith, and remained an active supporter of the Buddhist order. Her son by Bimbisra too became a monk.
[edit] Further reading
- Novel: Vaishali ki Nagarvadhu by Acharya Chatursen, 1948
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