The Tale of Amrapali and Bimbisar
Hundreds of years ago, the Gupta dynasty ruled India for 150 years. The Guptas were intelligent and courageous. Their empire extended to Nepal, Assam and Punjab. Cities like Magadha, Ujjainand Vaishalinagari were also under their rule.
An experienced king ruled Vaishalinagari. His subjects were happy during his reign. After working throughout the day, they sought entertainment to relax themselves. One such type of entertainment was provided by 'ganikas' (dancers). A ganika named Amrapali was as beautiful as a nymph. She had captivating eyes. She was tender and had a fair complexion. Her long silky hair flowed like a cascade. She walked gracefully and her speech was sweet like honey.
Though she belonged to the middle class, her beauty matched that of the noble ladies of her time. Her dance performances left her audiences spellbound.
From War To Love:
Things continued as usual in both cities, until Bimbisar, the King of Magadha declared war on Vaishalinagari. The two cities were, as such, not on good terms with each other. Bimbisar was a tall, well-built and handsome young man with a magnetic personality, befitting a king. He was very ambitious and had a desire to extend his kingdom. So, he declared a war against Vaishalinagari. Though he fought with all his might, he was defeated. His cavalry fled to Magadha. Seriously wounded, he was unable to return to Magadha. He somehow managed to change his battle gear and disguised as a soldier of Vaishalinagari, entered the city. Wandering, he reached that part of the city, inhabited by the ganikas. Though disguised as a soldier, he was unable to conceal his magnetism. The ganikas had never seen so splendid a man in their lives. They led the wounded Bimbisar to the place where Amrapali lived. Her house was simply furnished. Taking Bimbisar for a soldier of Vaishalinagari, Amrapali readily welcomed him. That was their first meeting.
Bimbisar had never seen so charming a lady. Even the ladies of the harem of his kingdom were not so attractive. Amrapali also lost her senses for a while on seeing Bimbisar. It is rightly said that whosoever loved, loved at first sight. Both Amrapali and Bimbisar fell in love at first sight. Bimbisar, without losing time, decided to make her his queen.
Amrapali on the other hand thought that she would marry a soldier of her beloved Vaishalinagari. Before long, Amrapali and Bimbisar become intimate. In due course of time, Bimbisar addressed Amrapali as 'Priye'. As he had to conceal his real identity, he called himself a simple 'Sipahi'. He was always the 'dear Sipahi' for Amrapali.
Love Blooms:
During daytime they talked less, but their eyes always conversed. Amrapali's face glowed. Whenever Bimbisar glanced at her, she blushed and her cheeks turned red. When the darkness of night engulfed the earth, the lovers twined themselves in each other's arms.
Bimbisar often said, "Dear, I want to entangle myself in the locks of your hair and forget the world." Amrapali would answer in the same exotic manner by saying – "My dear Sipahi, even I want to forget the world in your arms. I often wish to delve deep in your watery eyes."
Ganika Turns Raj-Nartaki :
The happy days passed quickly. The excellence and the perfection of her dances earned Amrapali the status of a Raj-Nartaki (the main dancer of a court). Amrapali, a mere Ganika, now became the talk of the town. Her beauty, which was not noticed due to her low birth, made the noblemen her admirers. The noble ladies were jealous of her.
Bimbisar accompanied Amrapali to her palace. They were so deeply in love, that it was impossible for them to live without each other. As the sun is essential for a sunflower to bloom, so was the sight of each other necessary for both Amrapali and Bimbisar to remain alive.
When the dance performances were meant for the public, Bimbisar always witnessed them. The more he saw and knew her, the more he loved her. The inner self of Amrapali was as good as her physical beauty. Bimbisar was unable to control the outburst of his emotions for her.
Amrapali was now eager to marry him. But Bimbisar knew that if he would reveal his real identity to her, she would never marry him. Bimbisar further apprehended that she might even hate him. So under one pretext or the other, Bimbisar delayed the marriage.
A Critical Moment In Life:
Engrossed in their love, neither Amrapali nor Bimbisar knew what the future had in stock for them. Some jealous persons managed to find out that Amrapali's Sipahi was none other than Bimbisar, the king of Magadha. The news spread like fire. When the king came to know about it, he summoned Amrapali and interrogated her. She said that she did not know anything of that sort. Amrapali further pleaded that she loved 'Sipahi' and not the King Bimbisar. However, the king paid no attention to her utterances. Even Bimbisar was arrested. Amrapali was punished on the grounds of being a traitor.
The trust that Amrapali had placed on Bimbisar shook her for a moment. She was disappointed, as he had not revealed his true identity to her. But love is strong and cannot wither away.
Love Meets Tragic End:
The cruel, misanthropic world was not able to see the union of the two souls. Had Amrapali and Bimbisar married, peace and brotherhood would have prevailed between the two cities. But the inborn rivals of love never wished such a thing to happen. Both Bimbisar and Amrapali were executed.
Their love met a tragic end, satisfying the envious nature of the world. The love of Amrapali and Bimbisar was eternal. It did not view the enmity between their native cities. No barriers could affect their love. The two lovers were united in heaven, as their union on earth was not acceptable to their fellow citizens.