composed poetry and dance dramas based on Buddhist stories, and glorified the immortal qualities of Buddhism through his literary creations like, Malini, Chandalika, and Natir Puja. Natir Puja is a story based on the famous poem by Tagore Pujarini(The Worshipper). Both tales focused on Sreemati, who was a dancing girl. In the poem Pujarini, the story relates that Ajatasatru usurped the throne from his father Bimbisar, denounced Buddhism and restricted , on the pain of death, any kind of worship except that of the Vedas, Brahmins, and Kings. The only person to ignore his order was Sreemati, a mere court dancer but an ardent Buddhist at heart. She continued to worship Buddha against the advice of the Queen and other members of the royal household Sreemati was excuted by the royal guards in the early evening when she places her offerings at the Buddhist Stupa near the palace and lights the lamps at the stupa. Tagore's dance drama has played out beautifully to bring out a historical aspect of the Indian culture. The story of Bimbisar and his son Ajatsatru may not have been represented the way history records it, but the tale certainly brings out the tension and the hostility that poison the world at every age. The glory of renunciation illustrated in Tagore’s verses inspired by the ideal of Lord Buddha has no parallel in world literature. Sreemati was merely a court dancer, but her dedication and sacrifice for her devotion to Lord Buddha and his humanitarian principles made her immortal in Tagore’s liIn Natir Puja, Sreemati shows that for faith and truth one should be ready to offer the highest price, one's own life if necessary. In the story of Natir Puja also Sreemati ‘s , position in the society as a court-dancer was low. Even Sreemati considers herself unworthy of even attending the words of Buddha. But her humility reflects one of the core ideals of Buddhism and she is honored by the Buddhist monks as they invite her to perform the rituals of a priestess before the altar of Buddha. Buddhism is a faith that nullifies class and caste system. Srimati accepts the royal order of dancing before the altar, but she succeeds in revealing herself as a devout follower of Buddha and embraces death. UPAHAAR 2021 উপহার ১৪২৮ 28
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