Book review
The story of King Udayana and Princess Vasavadatta was very well known in ancient India. Early writers were inspired by this story and made it the subject of poems and dramas. Bhasa wrote the ‘Swapnavasavadatta’ in Sanskrit, which is unique for its literary value. ‘Vasavadatta’ by Subandhu is another great work on the same theme. This popular story was re-echoed in Pali and Prakrit literature. In Dhamma-pada-atthakatha (5th Century A.D.), on which this illustrated classic is based, we get an elaborate account of the story of Vasavadatta and Udayana. King Pradyota of Ujjaini is disturbed to learn from his minister that Udayana of Kaushambi is a greater king than he is. He tricks Udayana into captivituy. However, his daughter Vasavadatta falls in love with Udayana. What follows is the tale of how Udayana escapes with Vasavadatta.