ACK-090 and ACK-091 "Battle of Wits" and "Vasavadatta"

We are happy to present a double treat for our readers on the special occasion of Holi. Hope you find these interesting.

ACK-090 "Battle of Wits"

ACK Description:

All living creatures die to be born again, according to Hindu belief. Legend has it that several lifetimes as a Bodhisattva went into the making of the Buddha, the enlightened one.

The Bodhisattva came in many forms - man, monkey, deer, elephantom, lion. Whatever his mortal frame, he spread the message of justice and wisdom, tempered with compassion. This wisdom of right thinking and right living is persevered in the Jataka TAles.

We cannot assign a definite date to the Jataka Tales. Taking into account ardhaelogical and literary evidence, it appears that they were compiled between 300 B.C. and A.D. 500. They give us invaluable information about ancient indian Indian civilization, culture and thought.

According to Maha Ummagga Jataka, the Bodhisattva was once born as Aushadh Kumar, the son of Seth Shrivardhana of Yavamajjhaka. This Chitraa Katha recounts a few tales of the childhood of Aushadha Kumar.

Download ACK-089 "Battle of Wits"

(33 pages, 1200 px wide, 8.9 MB)

Script: Yagya Sharma

Illustrations: Ram Waeerkar

Cover: Ram Waeerkar
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ACK-091 "Vasavadatta"

ACK Description:

King Pradyota wanted to be considered greater than neighboring king Udayana who famous for his ability to cast a spell on elephants in the enemy army. Pradyota plants a white elephant in the forest at the common boundary of their rival kingdoms, tricking Udayana into coming to get it. Pradyota's men waiting inside the fake elephant, capture Udayana.

Chided by Udayana for unbecoming conduct, Pradyota offers to free him if Udayana teaches him how to cast a spell on elephants. Udayana demands homage due to a guru for the instruction. Pradyota considers it demeaning and asks Udayana to teach a hunchback instead. The hunchback is none other than his daughter Vasavadatta who is told that the guru is diseased and so they would be separated by curtains. In the course of this instruction, a verbal tiff between teacher and taught brings them face-to-face and the inevitable happens...

This old story has been narrated in Pali prose and Sanskrit verse and has provided plots for two Sanskrit plays.

Download ACK-091 "Vasavadatta"

 (35 pages, 1200 px wide, 8.85 MB)

Author:Meena Talim

Illustrator: Pratap Mulick 

Cover:  Pratap Mulick

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Wishing all the visitors and readers of this blog a very happy and colorful holi.