- published: 14 Feb 2010
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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. 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.
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.
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.
Actors: Madhavi (actress), Narbada Shankar (actor), Bela Bose (actress), Bipin Gupta (actor), Sunil Dutt (actor), Randhir (actor), Keshav Rana (actor), K.N. Singh (actor), Gajanan Jagirdar (actor), Ranvir Raj (actor), Narendra Nath (actor), Prem Nath (actor), Nazir Kashmiri (actor), Baburao Pendharkar (actor), Ruby Mayer (actress),
Plot: His hunger for conquest not satiated, even after repeated victories, Samrat Ajaatshatru of Magadh would like to continue on his winning spree, as the only unconquered city is that of Vaishali. His astrologers forewarn him; his Senapati cautions him that his army is tired and needs to rest; his very own mother refuses to let take part in any war - but he refuses to listen to anyone and hastens to war - which leads to subsequent defeat at the hands of the Vaishali army. Wounded, lost, and on the run from enemy soldiers, Ajaatshatru dons the guise of a Vaishali soldier and takes shelter with a woman named Amrapali. When he recovers both find that they are in love with each other. Ajaatshatru finds an ally in Senapati Badbadhra Singh and both start to plot against Vaishali - this time by reducing the number of soldiers, making them addicted to alcohol, poor training methods, and poor pay - thus demoralizing them, and paving the way for an easy victory for Magadh. When the Samrat of Vaishali finds out that Amrapali, who is now the Raj Nartaki (Princely Courtesan) and has been having an affair with the Samrat of Magadh - he sentences her to prison in a dungeon for the rest of her life. Ajaatshatru is enraged at this, he gathers together his armies, and storms the unsuspecting Vaishalis and virtually burns the city down, killing almost everyone in it. This accomplished, he rushes to free his beloved from the dungeons. He does set her free - but it is not the same Amrapali - this Amrapali is quite different and not at all thrilled to be in the presence of her conqueror lover.
Genres: Fantasy, Musical,