: This collection of Buddhist tales tell of Amrapali, an accomplished dancer who commanded the love and admiration of an entire town and of Upagupta, who was just a poor monk. Amrapali craved peace, Upagupta's bearing exuded contentment. Amrapali depended on the adulation of her audience, Upagupta spurned the attentions of the rich and famous. Their stories were different but the Buddha's wise teachings linked their lives and the lessons to be learned from them.
: Under attack from a deadly crocodile, the 12-year-old boy decided the time was ripe to wrest a favor from his distraught mother. Amazingly fearless yet dutiful, scholarly yet humble, young Shankara packed several lifetimes into his 32 brilliant years. He travelled and toiled, suffered joys and sorrows and eventually perfected a philosophical system that, more than a thousand years later, still instructs and guides seekers of the ultimate Truth
: Mahiravana, son of demon king Ravana, ruled in the lower world. He possessed great magical powers. As Ravana faced defeats in his war with Rama, he called Mahiravana to help him. Demon Mahiravana employed all his skills and powers to fight and even to take away the heroes Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuman, the superman ape was pitted against the demon. He used his enormous tail for protecting his heroes'. In spite of being tricked a few times, Hanuman proves more than a match for Mahiravana in the end
: A word of caution to all those who enjoy being greedy or arrogant, you are on the road to eventual unhappiness. These Jataka tales make an undeniable case for the Buddhist ideal of right thinking and right living. They also advise against idle gossip and impatience. When such wise teachings are accompanied by rollicking humor and exciting yarns, the popularity of these tales over two millennia is hardly surprising!