Yashodhara - Princess Who Loved The Buddha

Book Code: 1111033164714

Kusum Kapoor

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gautam Buddha becomes  a  world  teacher  but  his  chief  queen  Yashodhara  is  shrouded  in  mystery all that  we know  about her  life is  after  she become a Buddhist nun. She had been a beautiful  and talented  woman; expert in  martial arts yet no bards sang much in  her  praise. Her  fate  was like  her ancestor  Seta's.  They  were both  loved  and  respected  yet  abandoned  by  their  husbands.
A society  can only  be judged  for  its  civilized manners, by  the condition of  their  women. This book tells  us  the  predicament  and  the  pitiful  state  of  single  women  during  7th   century  BC. This historical  fiction  is  based on facts and sometimes  on assumptions by  renouned  scholars.  The  main aim of  the story  is  to do justice  to Princess of  the Shakya Clan and bring out her  character  in  the  limelight;  maintaining the  correct  milieu by  describing  true  history  and social  customs  of  about three  thousand  years  back,  in  time. The  book  is  informative  about  ancient  Indian  history  and  culture  yet  captivating  and  entertaining

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kusum  Kapoor: A simple housewife and a substitute teacher  at times, teaching English to  9 -12   classes  in  St.  Peter's  college  Agra. Education:  Master  degrees  in  English  literature  and  history  from  Agra  University  and  post  graduation  in  Theology  from  Deemed  University  of  Dayal  Bagh,  Agra.  Degree  in  vocal  music  from  Triveni  Kala  Sangam,  Allahabad.  Painting  diploma  from “Chitrakuteer:,  Dehradoon. Writing career:  1st  story  at the age of  eight in school   Jalandhar; College character  sketches  of  class  fellows  for  the  magazine. Stood  1st in  Hindi  story  competition-local  tabloid  (Amar  Ujala) Agra, 1st Book published in  Hindi ‘Tulsi-ka–Dhuan’,   under  Utkarsh  Prakashan  (Meerut  and  Delhi).  Also  small  articles  in  local  tabloid  (English) Travelled  extensively,  abroad  U.S.,  Canada,  England,  France,  Italy,  Switzerland,  Thailand and Singapore. Buddhist  member  of  Soka  Gakai  International  or organization. Wrote  many  'experiences'   for  her  group.  Famolitery  critic  Dr .  Ram  Bilas  Sharma's  guidance  for  story  writing.  Diploma  in  “Creative  writing”  Orobind  Institute  Delhi.

Back cover text

3000  years  ago,  in  the  lap  of  scenically  enchanting  lower  Himalayas  a  Republic of  many  Hill  Tribes existed.  Their  Shakya  chief  Shuddhodan  was addressed  as  Maharaja.  A  holy  river  Bhagirathi coming  down  the  mountains  gave  out  a  tributary  Rohini.  Straddling  the  river  were  the  two th important  cities  of  their  clan.  Kapilvastu  and  the  town of  Koliyas,  the  sub  tribe.  In  7  Century  BC.,  the Maharaja  of  their  Capital  had  a  son  Siddharth  Gautama,  born  with 32  auspicious  signs  on  his  body. On  the  same  day  a  girl  was  born  to  the  Koliya  King,  and  was  named  Yashodhara.  Beautiful, talented, and a warrior she was a Queen in  the true sense. Yet she sacrificed it  all to follow her
prince who had turned a recluse and becomes a nun following The Buddha’s code of conduct. Her touching life-story has ups and downs. But the beauty lies in how she handles herself with dignity  and  grace  while never  leaving  sight  of  her duties  as  Prince  Siddhartha’s  Chief  Queen. The painting on the  front cover  is  an original  created  by  the  author.  It  expresses Yashodhara’s  memory  of  The  Buddha.

CONTENTS

Foreword.................................................................................  9
Characters ............................................................................... 11
1.  Seventh Century Nalanda.................................................... 13
2.  The Koliya Princess ............................................................ 27
3.  The Boating Competition..................................................... 41
4.  Ancient Legends.................................................................  51
5.  The Excursion....................................................................  63
6.  Kapilvastu.........................................................................  73
7.  Ashoka Dona Festival (Youth festival)................................  81
8.  Takshakshila......................................................................  95
9.  The Moot Hall Fiasco......................................................  119
10. The Midnight Flight.........................................................  125
11.  Yashodhara’s Affliction..................................................  139
12. Amrapali.........................................................................  165
13. Yashodhara’s Dharma and Sangha..................................  177
14. The Home Coming..........................................................  199
15. Support of the Elites.........................................................  213
16. The King’s Demise..........................................................  217
17. Ruling Queen Yashodhara................................................  223
18. The Nuns........................................................................  233
19. The Fatal Attraction.........................................................  245
20. End of Yashodhara’s Journey..........................................  253
21. Destruction of Kapilvastu..................................................  261
22. Journey Back to China.....................................................  275
Post Historical Events............................................................  285
Afterword ............................................................................. 286
Bibliography..........................................................................  287