Ambapali

Amrapāli, also known as "Ambapālika" or "Ambapali", was a celebrated 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. The legend of Amrapali originated in the Buddhist Jataka Tales some 1500 years ago.

Amrapali or Ambapali was born around 600-500 BC to unknown parentage, and was given her name because at her birth she was said to have been spontaneously born at the foot of a mango tree in one of the royal gardens in Vaishali.Etymologically, the variants on her name derive from a combination of two Sanskrit words: "amra", meaning mango, and "pallawa", meaning young leaves or sprouts. Even as a young maiden, she was exceptionally beautiful. It is said that a feudal lord by the name of Mahanaman was so lured by her looks that he abandoned his kingdom shifted to Ambara village, a small hamlet in Vaishali.

Vaishali was the capital city of the Lichchavi clan, one of the eight Khattiya (Sanskrit, Kshatriya) clans that had united to form the Vajjian confederacy. Here, the King was elected by an electoral college consisting of princes and nobles from the Kshatriya clans. There was a custom in the land that the most perfectly beautiful women were not allowed to be married to one man but had to dedicate themselves to the pleasure of many.

Amrapali grew up to be a lady of extraordinary charm, and grace and was extremely talented in many art forms Many young nobles desired her company. It is said that Manudev, king of Vaishali, saw her dance performance in the city, he planned to 'own' her. He murdered Amrapali's would-be-groom, Pushpakumar (her childhood love) on the day of marriage and made an official announcement declaring her as the 'bride' of Vaishali i.e. the Nagarvadhu. She was also conferred the title 'Vaishali Janpad Kalayani'. Janpad Kalyani was the term given to the most beautiful and talented girl of the kingdom who was selected for a period of seven years, and a palace was given to her. She also had the right to choose her lover but could not be committed to any one man.

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