The Jatakas, on which the present title is based, is a collection of 550 stories included in the Pali canon. They are tales in which the life of the Bodhisattva in his previous births is narrated. The Bodhisattva is one, who by performing virtuous, kind and intelligent acts, aspires to become a Buddha (enlightened one).
The Jataka tales are based on legends, ballads and folklore of ancient India. We cannot assign a definite date to the Jataka stories. Taking into account archaeological and literary evidence, it seems likely that they were compiled in the period between 3rd century BC and 5th century AD. The Jataka tales provide invaluable information about ancient Indian civilization, culture and philosophy.
The Jataka stories have been very popular in the Buddhist world. These stories have been translated into almost all the languages of Buddhist countries, such as Chinese, Tibetan, Sinhalese, Siamese, Burmese, Japanese, and also into many modern European languages. Thesestories have inspired painting and sculpture in ancient India and in other Buddist countries. Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati and Ajanta in India, Borobudur in Java, Pegan in Burma and Sukhodaya in Thailand bear testimony to the popularity of these tales.
King Kusha is an adaptation of the Kusha Jataka. It is a romantic account of the ugly but wise and talented King Kusha of Kushavati and his love for the beautiful but vain Princess Brabhavati of Sagala. |
