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{{short description|Ancient Indian royal courtesan who figured in early Buddhism}}
{{About|the courtesan and Buddhist disciple|the 1966 Hindi film|Amrapali (film)|the Indian television series|Amrapali (TV series)|the mango cultivar|Amrapali (mango)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Amrapali
| image = Amrapali greets Buddha Roundel 36 buddha ivory tusk.jpg
| caption = Amrapali greets Buddha", ivory carving, National Museum of New Delhi
| birth_date = {{circa|500 BCE}}
| birth_place = [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]]
| death_date =
| death_place = [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]]
| occupation = [[Nagaravadhu]] (royal [[courtesan]]) of the republic of [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]]
| known_for = Early follower of [[Gautama Buddha]]
}}

'''Āmrapālī''', also known as "Ambapālika", "Ambapali", or "Amra" was a celebrated ''[[nagarvadhu]]'' (royal [[courtesan]]) of the [[Gaṇasaṅgha|Republic]] of [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]] (located in present-day Bihar) in [[ancient India]] around 500 BC.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081214/spectrum/main6.htm |title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|work=tribuneindia.com|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090429004610/http://www.bihar.ws/info/Districts-of-Bihar/History-of-Vaishali.html History of Vaishali]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081214/spectrum/main6.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-04-18}}</ref> Amrapali also won the title of rajnartaki (court dancer).<ref name="tribuneindia.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081214/spectrum/main6.htm |title=Amrapali: Buddha's gorgeous disciple}}</ref> Following the [[Buddha]]'s teachings, she became an [[arahant]]. She is mentioned in the old [[Pāli|Pali]] texts and [[Buddhist]] traditions ([[Āgama (Buddhism)|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 [[Sūtra|Sutra]]''.<ref>[http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/am/ambapaalivana.htm Ambapaali vana] Pali dictionary</ref><ref>[[#Ka|Khanna, p. 45]]</ref><ref>[http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/am/ambapaali_sutta.htm Ambapaali Sutta] Pali dictionary</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Amrapali's Encounter with The Handsome Renunciate|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1690425.cms |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=June 30, 2006}}</ref>

==Early life==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.women-philosophers.com/Ambapali-Amrapali.html|title=Ambapali or Amrapali c 600 BC - India|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209174038/http://www.women-philosophers.com/Ambapali-Amrapali.html|archive-date=2013-02-09|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is said that she was spontaneously born at the foot of a mango tree in one of the royal gardens in [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]] — hence her name.<ref name="autogenerated12">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081214/spectrum/main6.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|work=tribuneindia.com|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref>

Even as a young maiden, Amrapali was exceptionally beautiful and ethereal. It is said that a [[Indian feudalism|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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/life/2002/07/08/stories/2002070800200400.htm|title=Here's something different|work=thehindubusinessline.in|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref>

== As a courtesan ==
Vaishali was the capital city of the [[Licchavi (tribe)|Licchavi tribe]], one of the eight Khattiya (Sanskrit ''Kshatriya'') clans that had united to form the Vajjian confederacy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/07/15/stories/2002071500710200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060339/http://hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/07/15/stories/2002071500710200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-09-21|title=Another historical serial on DD|date=2002-07-15|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Gender in South Asia: Social Imagination and Constructed Realities|last=Channa|first=Subhadra Mitra|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-1-107-04361-9|location=Daryaganj|pages=21–22}}</ref>

Amrapali grew up to be a lady of extraordinary charm and grace, and was talented in many art forms.<ref name=":0" /> Many young nobles desired her company. When Manudev, king of Vaishali, saw Amrapali perform a dance in the city, he plotted to "own" her. He murdered Amrapali's childhood love and would-be-groom, Pushpakumar, on the day of their wedding, and afterwards made an official announcement declaring Amrapali as the 'bride' of Vaishali — i.e. the ''[[Nagarvadhu]]''. She was also bestowed with the title of ''[[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]] Janpad Kalayani'', given to the most beautiful and talented girl of the kingdom for a period of seven years. Amrapali had the right to choose her lovers, but according to the aforementioned custom, she could not be committed to any one man.

After being declared a ''Nagarvadhu''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/prog/locat/y2k2/aamwri.htm|title=Inside programming: On the sets of Aamrapali|work=indiantelevision.com|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> Her talent and beauty attracted so many men that the glory of Vaishali during this period is often attributed to Amrapali's fame.<ref name=":0" /> The price to see Amrapali's art form was fifty [[Karshapana]]s per night, and her treasury grew much larger than the treasuries of some kings.<ref name=":0" />

It is said that Amrapali was declared the "most beautiful" girl at the age of 11 and was later made nagarvadhu. She was also a celebrated rajnartaki (court dancer) in the ancient Vaishali. Amrapali was proficient in music, dance, hunting, archery, horse handling, and had great love for classical songs and dance.<ref name="tribuneindia.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wordictpost.com/biography/amrapali-life-history-vcwpd |title=Amrapali - Life History}}</ref>

==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 (Mahajanapada)|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.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book|title=The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism|last=Buswell Jr.1, Lopez Jr.2|first=Robert E.1, Donald S.2|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2014|isbn=978-0-691-15786-3|location=Oxfordshire|pages=36–37}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Stars at Dawn: Forgotten Stories of Women in the Buddha's Life|last=Garling|first=Wendy|publisher=Shambhala Publications, inc.|year=2016|isbn=9781611802658|location=Boulder|pages=268–269}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Performance and Culture: Narrative, Image and Enactment in India|last=Verma|first=Archana|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4438-2735-5|location=Newcastle|pages=109}}</ref> He consented to her proposal with silence.<ref name=":1" /> On her way back, her chariot collided with that of the princely nobles of Vaishali who were also heading to invite the Buddha to dine with them. They berate her by calling her a 'mango-woman' and ask her, a woman of ill repute, to move aside and let her superiors pass. It is then that she announces that the Buddha was coming to her house for a meal. The princes were upset and offered her gold in return of the privilege of hosting the Buddha but she refuses.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=The Buddha: A Beginner's Guide|url=https://archive.org/details/buddha00john|url-access=registration|last=Strong|first=John S.|publisher=One World Publications|year=2001|isbn=978-1-78074-054-6|location=Oxford}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":3" /> Amrapali received the Buddha with her retinue in her grand residence which had been specially decorated for the occasion.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=Women Education Through the Ages|last=Gupta|first=N.L.|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year=2000|isbn=978-81-7022-826-4|location=New Delhi|pages=92}}</ref> It was no less than the palace of any king;<ref name=":4" /> such was the wealth she commanded. At the conclusion of the meal, she offered to the Buddha and his order her entire property including her groves which became the venue for several sermons on mindfulness.<ref name=":4" /> Soon thereafter, she renounced her position as courtesan or court dancer, accepted the Buddhist way, and remained an active supporter of the Buddhist order. She dedicated her life to the service of the poor and the destitutes.<ref name=":4" />

On growing up, Amrapali's son, Vimala Kondanna also became a Buddhist monk and a renowned elder.<ref name=":02" />

== Attitudes towards courtesans in scriptures ==
The story of Amrapali is significant for understanding contemporary attitudes of courtesans. Though she received much fame as a talented artist,<ref name=":0" /> she was also berated by the noble princes of Vaishali by calling her "[[Gaṇikā]]" which carried derogatory connotations.<ref name=":2" /> However, unlike them, Buddha did not share that kind of prejudice towards her. He ate at her residence and accepted her grove for the Buddhist order. This is often quoted as an example for his unbiased regard towards women.<ref name=":1" /> However, what has been noticed is that with the passage of time and as the [[Therīgāthā]] was collated, this bias also entered the Buddhist fold.<ref name=":2" />

Amrapali's possible alliance with Bimbisara has also survived mainly through an oral tradition and has not found its way into the [[Pali Canon]] of Buddhism. This is because Bimbisara was a great royal patron of Buddhism and his links with Amrapali may throw a negative light on him.<ref name=":2" /> Amrapali's mention in the canon also focuses mostly on the later part of her life when she converted to Buddhism.<ref name=":2" /> However, records of Chinese travellers who came to India in search of Buddhist texts have made note of Amrapali's early life and her relationship with Bimbisara. The latter is found in the Chinese Recension of the [[Buddhist canons|Buddhist tripitaka]].<ref name=":2" /> This narrative has been written in the [[Mahayana]] tradition and therefore did not have the onus of representing Bimbisara in a positive light.<ref name=":2" />

A third set of scriptures which refer to the story of Amrapali, and do so most elaborately, come from the [[Gilgit]] area of [[Kashmir]] and are therefore known as the Gilgit Manuscripts.<ref name=":2" /> These are the Tibetan-Sanskrit scriptures of the [[Mulasarvastivada]] branch of Buddhism which hold her in high esteem. However, the negative connotation of being a courtesan is still present.<ref name=":2" /> Thus, the cultural memory of a courtesan shows a complex pattern, varying across time and place.

==In popular culture==
* Amrapali has been the subject of three biographical films: ''Amrapali'' (1945) starring Sabita Devi, Jagdish Sethi, Prem Adeeb, ''Amrapali'' (1959) starring [[Supriya Devi]] as Amrapali and [[Asit Baran]] as King Ajatashatru,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/amrapali-33536|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235118/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/amrapali-33536|url-status=live|archive-date=January 22, 2018|title=Amrapali (1959) - Review, Star Cast, News, Photos|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2019-07-17}}</ref> and ''[[Amrapali (film)|Amrapali]]'' (1966), starring [[Vyjayanthimala]] as Amrapali and [[Sunil Dutt]] as Emperor Ajatashatru.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
* 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 (ancient city)|Vaishali]] Ki Nagarvadhu,'' a 1948 [[Hindi]] novel by [[Acharya Chatursen]], and ''Ambapali'', a 1962 novel by Vimala Raina.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/07/11/stories/2002071101000300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030630180757/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/07/11/stories/2002071101000300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=2003-06-30 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=An artiste set to dazzle | date=2002-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6092662-vaishali-ki-nagarvadhu|title=Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu|work=goodreads.com|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.crossword.in/books/vaishali-ki-nagarvadhu-hindi-acharya-chatursen/p-books-9788170282822.html |title=Vaishali Ki Nagarvadhu (Hindi) - Crossword.in |access-date=2013-09-16 |archive-date=2014-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107110350/http://www.crossword.in/books/vaishali-ki-nagarvadhu-hindi-acharya-chatursen/p-books-9788170282822.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> A recent work in [[English language|English]], ''The Legend of Amrapali: An Enchanting Saga Buried Within the Sands of Time'', was completed by author [[Anurag Anand]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-31/books/31281015_1_amrapali-nagarvadhu-woman-warrior | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517013817/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-31/books/31281015_1_amrapali-nagarvadhu-woman-warrior | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-05-17 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Amrapali was more than a luscious courtesan | date=2013-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/Amarapali-an-inspiration-for-many/articleshow/11685586.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921101621/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-30/books/31004952_1_amrapali-first-title-fiction | url-status=live | archive-date=2013-09-21 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Amarapali, an inspiration for many | date=2012-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120209/jsp/entertainment/story_15110438.jsp#.UjjRYNJi2aU | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph | title=From humour to horror | date=2012-02-09 | access-date=2013-09-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707085507/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120209/jsp/entertainment/story_15110438.jsp#.UjjRYNJi2aU | archive-date=2014-07-07 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* A television series, [[Aamrapali (TV serial)|Amrapali]], was telecast on [[Doordarshan|DD National]] in 2002.
* Amrapali is also mentioned in the book 'Heroines' by historian writer Ira Mukhoty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/life/2002/09/16/stories/2002091600030200.htm |title=A rarity called professionalism|work=thehindubusinessline.in|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/prog/locat/y2k2/aamra.htm |title=Inside programming: On the sets of Aamrapali|work=indiantelevision.com|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Nagarvadhu]]
* [[Buddha (TV series)]]
* [[Fa-Hien]]
* [[Upagupta]]
* [[List of Amar Chitra Katha comics]]
* [[Amar Chitra Katha]]
* [[Vasavadatta]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
* {{cite book |title=Stories Of The Buddha|last=Khanna|first=Anita |year=2004 |publisher=Children's Book Trust|isbn=978-81-7011-913-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G3Uph1xLa74C&q=Amrapali&pg=PA45 |ref=Ka }}
* Vyasa & Vigneswara Malayalam Novel written by Anand
* Novel: ''Vaishali ki Nagarvadhu'' by [[Acharya Chatursen]], 1948
* Khuddaka Nikaya, part 9 (Therigatha) Canto 13
* Digha Nikaya 16 (Mahaparinibbanasutta - part 2, 16-26)
* Malalasekera: Buddhist Dictionary of Pali Proper Names (s.v.)
* The Legend of Amrapali by Anurag Anand [http://www.anuraganand.in/index.php?option=com_books&Itemid=3]
* Rev. Osho - A story on Buddha and Amrapali

==External links==
* [http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/am/ambapaalii.htm Ambapālī (Ambapālikā) in Buddhist Dictionary of Pali names]
* [http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjubrg_amrapali-1_shortfilms Amrapali DD1 serial 1st episode-2002]

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Prostitution in India}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amrapali}}
[[Category:Disciples of Gautama Buddha]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhists]]
[[Category:Indian courtesans]]
[[Category:5th-century BC Indian people]]
[[Category:Year of death unknown]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian women]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhist nuns]]
[[Category:Arhats]]
[[Category:Ancient dancers]]
[[Category:5th-century BC women]]
[[Category:People from the Vajjika League]]
[[Category:Indian female dancers]]
[[Category:Performers of Indian classical dance]]
[[Category:Buddhist female saints]]

Amrapali - Revision history

Shenna87P79423 at 15:27, 3 April 2026