Buddhist Fables

  1. The Story of Ruru Deer
  2. The Story of Two Swans
  3. The Hare on The Moon
  4. The Story of Chaddanta Elephant
  5. The Story of Great Monkey
  6. The Story of The Two Deer
  7. The Story of a Buffalo
  8. Silava Elephant
  9. The Wise Monkey
  10. The Story of the Golden Swan
  11. The Story of The Great Ape
  12. The Mighty Fish
  13. Story of the Monkey King
  14. Lion and Jackal
  15. Somdatta
  16. The Story of the Crows
  17. The Monkey Brothers
  18. The Story of Nigrodha Deer
  19. Kalbahu
  20. Nandivisala
  21. Coronation of Owl
  22. The Feast of the Dead
  23. The Heart of the Monkey
  24. The Story of a Rooster
  25. The Story of a Tigeress
  26. The Pigeon and The Crow
  27. The Story of Romaka Pigeon
  28. The Story of Khardiya Deer
  29. The Thankless Monkey
  30. Can A Fool Ever Act Good!
  31. The Story of a Tortoise
  32. Jackal –The Arbitrator
  33. The Story of a Snake Charmer
  34. The Leather Garment
  35. The Giant Crab
  36. Mahilaimukha Elephant
  37. The Story of Vinilaka

Buddhist Classics

  1. The Sacrifice of Vessantara
  2. The Wisdom of Vidhura Pandita
  3. Chullabodhi – The Conqueror of Anger
  4. The Story of Kushinagar
  5. The Virtue of Forbearance
  6. Matanga – The World’s First Crusader of Untouchability
  7. The Temptation of Isisanga
  8. The Flight of Sakka
  9. Mahajanaka’s Renunciation
  10. The Wine-Jar
  11. The Sacrifice of Sivi
  12. The Box of the Monster
  13. The Lotus Stalk
  14. Kandari – The Handsome Prince
  15. Ghat: The Virtuous King
  16. Supparaka – The Ancient Mariner
  17. Sankhapala: The Naga King
  18. Champeyya
  19. The Baveru Island
  20. The Great Gambler
  21. The Story of The Dumb Prince
  22. The Naive House-Holder
  23. The Jewelled Serpent
  24. The Mango-Thief
  25. The Foot-Print Reader
  26. The Story of Sutasoma
  27. The Story of Sudasa
  28. The Little Bowman
  29. The Envoy of Belly
  30. Story of a Drummer
  31. The King, Who Knew The Language Of Animals
  32. The Happy Man
  33. Sama: The Good Son

Life and Legends of Buddha

  1. Gotama Buddha
  2. Birth Story of Gotama
  3. Maha Maya’s Dream
  4. Sage Asita’s Visit
  5. The Four Sights
  6. Story of Renunciation
  7. The Buddha’s Victory over Mara
  8. The Personality of the Buddha
  9. Nalgiri Elephant
  10. Story of Kumara Kassapa
  11. Dhamma-Chakka-Pavattana-Katha
  12. The Buddha’s Teaching of Abhidhamma
  13. Buddha's Visit to Rahula Mata
  14. The Savatthi Miracles
  15. The Flying Buddha
  16. Story of Parinibbana
  17. Suddhodana
  18. Sujata
  19. Sariputta
  20. Moggallana
  21. Story of Mara
  22. Bimbisara
  23. Nanda
  24. Janapada Kalyani Nanda
  25. The Spiritual Journey of Janapada Kalyani
  26. Phussa Buddha
  27. Vipassi Buddha
  28. Sikhi Buddha
  29. Vessabhu Buddha
  30. Kakusandha Buddha
  31. Konagamana Buddha
  32. Kassapa Buddha
  33. Metteya

The Illustrated Jataka & Other Stories of the Buddha by C. B. Varma Introduction | Glossary | Bibliography

093 – Nanda

Nanda, though embraced monkhood still pines for Janapada Kalyani, Ajanta

N anda was the step-brother of the Buddha; and his mother was the younger sister of Maha Maya.

Once visiting Kapilavatthu he visited his half brother’s palace, who was getting married to the most gracious woman of the time, whose name was Janapadakalyani Nanda. (She was called so because her graceful appearance was to grace the whole of the janapada). Upon visiting Nanda Buddha asked him to carry his alms bowl to his vihara. So, Nanda left the palace and kept his prospective bride waiting.

In the vihara Buddha inspired Nanda to renounce the worldly life for the sake of eternal bliss. Though he was inspired by the words of the Buddha and accepted the renunciation, yet his resolve was infirm and half-hearted. Besides, he pined for his pretty bride with strong sensual desires, which gradually broke his health. The Buddha read his mind and knew the remedy.

One day, the Buddha asked him to accompany him to the Himalayas. On the way he showed him the charred body of a female monkey. To examine the intensity of his brother’s sensual passions he then asked him whether his bride was prettier than the charred body of the animal. Nanda answered in affirmative.

Buddha then took him to the Tavatimsa, where Sakka and his nymphets extended every hospitality to them. There, the Buddha again asked Nanda whether Janapadakalyani Nanda was prettier than those nymphets. Nanda then answered in negative. The Buddha then promised him to get him any of those nymphets as his espouse if he would lead a monastic life. Nanda in his eagerness agreed. But when he reached the monastery where the eighty monks questioned his pledge for monk-hood, he felt ashamed. Soon he mustered up his courage and strove for attainment of the arahatahood. And by and by he achieved his target.

He then came to the Buddha and absolved him of his Tavatimsa promise.

See Theragatha 157 f.; Theragatha Atthakatha i.276 ff.; Dhammapada Atthakatha i. 96-105, 1.103;