ACK #030 (674)The story of King Udayana and Princess Vasavadatta was very well known in ancient India. Early writers were inspired by this story and made it the subject of poems and dramas. Bhasa wrote the ‘Swapnavasavadatta’ in Sanskrit, which is unique for its literary value. ‘Vasavadatta’ by Subandhu is another great work on the same theme.
This popular story was re-echoed in Pali and Prakrit literature. In Dhamma-pada-atthakatha (5th Century A.D.), on which this illustrated classic is based, we get an elaborate account of the story of Vasavadatta and Udayana.
King Pradyota of Ujjaini is disturbed to learn from his minister that Udayana of Kaushambi is a greater king than he is. He tricks Udayana into captivity. Pradyota then wants Udayana to teach him the secret of taming elephants. Udayana refuses to do so until Pradyota himself pays him the homage due to a guru. As Pradyota's pride does not permit this, he sends his daughter lovely daughter Vasavadatta to Udayana for the lessons, with a curtain screen separating them. Vasavadatta is told her teacher is a leaper, and Udayanais told that his pupil is a hunch-backed relative of Pradyota.
What follows thereafther is encapsulated in this romantic tale.
Script: Menna Talim Illustrations: Pratap Mulick
(~From inside cover)
Note: It's said that the first reference to game pieces that could be chess or a similar game is found in Vasavadatta by Subandhu. I mean the reference only, game is older & started by Indians. With time there were changes in rules etc.
Check following links to read more about:
1. Earliest Chess Books and References by Bill Wall
2. Origins of ChessProtochess, 400 B.C. to 400 A.D. by G. Ferlito and A. Sanvito (FROM: The Pergamon Chess Monthly September 1990 Volume 55 No. 6)
Download Book ‘Vasavadatta’ by Subandhu (Here)
Many many thanks to “Shailendra Rao” for providing ACK scan.
This popular story was re-echoed in Pali and Prakrit literature. In Dhamma-pada-atthakatha (5th Century A.D.), on which this illustrated classic is based, we get an elaborate account of the story of Vasavadatta and Udayana.
King Pradyota of Ujjaini is disturbed to learn from his minister that Udayana of Kaushambi is a greater king than he is. He tricks Udayana into captivity. Pradyota then wants Udayana to teach him the secret of taming elephants. Udayana refuses to do so until Pradyota himself pays him the homage due to a guru. As Pradyota's pride does not permit this, he sends his daughter lovely daughter Vasavadatta to Udayana for the lessons, with a curtain screen separating them. Vasavadatta is told her teacher is a leaper, and Udayanais told that his pupil is a hunch-backed relative of Pradyota.
What follows thereafther is encapsulated in this romantic tale.
Script: Menna Talim Illustrations: Pratap Mulick
(~From inside cover)
Note: It's said that the first reference to game pieces that could be chess or a similar game is found in Vasavadatta by Subandhu. I mean the reference only, game is older & started by Indians. With time there were changes in rules etc.
Check following links to read more about:
1. Earliest Chess Books and References by Bill Wall
2. Origins of ChessProtochess, 400 B.C. to 400 A.D. by G. Ferlito and A. Sanvito (FROM: The Pergamon Chess Monthly September 1990 Volume 55 No. 6)
Download Book ‘Vasavadatta’ by Subandhu (Here)
Many many thanks to “Shailendra Rao” for providing ACK scan.
