Manohara
Encyclopedia
Manohara is the Kinnari
(half woman, half bird) heroine of the Jataka Tale story of Prince Sudhana and Manohara. The legend appears in the Divyavadana
and is documented by stone reliefs at Borobodur.
This story is famous in Cambodia
, Thailand
, and Indonesia
. The Pannasjataka, Pali
text written by a Buddhist monk/sage in Chiangmai around AD 1450-1470, also told the story of Sudhana and Manohra. There are also many similar versions told in China
, Japan
and Korea
, including the Chinese story of the Princess and the Cowherd. (See Qixi Festival.) In these stories, seven women who can fly descended to earth to take a bath, the youngest and prettiest of whom was captured by a human, and subsequently became a wife of a male human (either her captor or the prince-hero of the story). Later in the stories, the heroine put on some magical thing that enabled her to fly or transform into a bird, and flew away; prompting the quest by the hero in pursuit of his flying wife.
. One day, she travels to the human realm. She is caught by a hunter who gives her to Prince Sudhana. The prince falls in love with Manohara, and they get married.
Later, when the prince is away in battle, Manohara is accused of bringing bad luck to the city and is threatened with death. She flies away, back to the Kinnara Kingdom. She leaves behind a ring and the directions to reach the Kinnara Kingdom, so that Prince Sudhana can follow her.
Prince Sudhana returns to the city and follows her. After an extensive and adventurous journey with many tests assessing strength, perseverance, and wit, he finds Manohara. They then live happily ever after.
Kinnara
In Buddhist mythology and Hindu mythology, a kinnara is a paradigmatic lover, a celestial musician, half-human and half-horse or half-bird...
(half woman, half bird) heroine of the Jataka Tale story of Prince Sudhana and Manohara. The legend appears in the Divyavadana
Divyavadana
The Divyāvadāna, or Divine Stories, is an anthology of Buddhist tales, many originating in the Mūlasarvāstivāda vinaya texts. The stories themselves are therefore quite ancient and may be among the first Buddhist texts ever committed to writing, but this particular collection of them is not...
and is documented by stone reliefs at Borobodur.
This story is famous in Cambodia
Culture of Cambodia
The culture of Cambodia has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries, and has been heavily influenced by India. Throughout Cambodia's long history, a major source of inspiration was from religion...
, Thailand
Culture of Thailand
The Culture of Thailand incorporates cultural beliefs and characteristics indigenous to the area known as modern day Thailand coupled with much influence from ancient India, China, Cambodia, along with the neighbouring pre-historic cultures of Southeast Asia...
, and Indonesia
Culture of Indonesia
Indonesian culture has been shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences. Indonesia is central along ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East, resulting in many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of...
. The Pannasjataka, Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
text written by a Buddhist monk/sage in Chiangmai around AD 1450-1470, also told the story of Sudhana and Manohra. There are also many similar versions told in China
Culture of China
Chinese culture is one of the world's oldest and most complex. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and provinces...
, Japan
Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
and Korea
Culture of Korea
The current political separation of North and South Korea has resulted in divergence in modern Korean cultures; nevertheless, the traditional culture of Korea is historically shared by both states.-Dance:...
, including the Chinese story of the Princess and the Cowherd. (See Qixi Festival.) In these stories, seven women who can fly descended to earth to take a bath, the youngest and prettiest of whom was captured by a human, and subsequently became a wife of a male human (either her captor or the prince-hero of the story). Later in the stories, the heroine put on some magical thing that enabled her to fly or transform into a bird, and flew away; prompting the quest by the hero in pursuit of his flying wife.
Synopsis
Manohara, the youngest of seven daughters of the Kinara King, lives on Mount KailashMount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
. One day, she travels to the human realm. She is caught by a hunter who gives her to Prince Sudhana. The prince falls in love with Manohara, and they get married.
Later, when the prince is away in battle, Manohara is accused of bringing bad luck to the city and is threatened with death. She flies away, back to the Kinnara Kingdom. She leaves behind a ring and the directions to reach the Kinnara Kingdom, so that Prince Sudhana can follow her.
Prince Sudhana returns to the city and follows her. After an extensive and adventurous journey with many tests assessing strength, perseverance, and wit, he finds Manohara. They then live happily ever after.