Manohara facts for kids

Manohara is a special character from old stories called Jataka tales. She is a kinnari, which means she is half-woman and half-bird. The most famous story about her is usually called Manohara and Prince Sudhana. You can find this legend in ancient texts like the Divyavadana. There are even stone carvings of her story at the famous Borobudur temple.

This exciting story is popular in many countries across Southeast Asia. These include Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka, northern Malaysia, and Indonesia. A Buddhist text from around 1450-1470 AD, written in Chiangmai, also tells the tale of Sudhana and Manohara. Similar stories are found in China (where she is known as Chinese: 悅意; pinyin: Yuèyì), Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. One well-known Chinese version is about the Princess and the Cowherd. In these tales, magical flying women come to Earth. One of them, often the youngest and prettiest, is captured by a human. She then becomes his wife. Later, she uses magic to fly away, and the hero goes on a long journey to find her.

The Story of Manohara and Prince Sudhana

How Manohara Met Prince Sudhana

Manohara is the youngest of seven daughters of the Kimnara king. The Kimnara are mythical beings who live on Mount Kailash. One day, Manohara travels to the human world. A hunter catches her, sometimes using a magic rope. He then gives her to Prince Sudhana.

Prince Sudhana is the son of King Adityavamsa and Queen Chandradevi. He is a famous archer and the future ruler of the Panchala kingdom. The prince and Manohara fall in love and get married.

Manohara's Escape and Sudhana's Quest

Later, Prince Sudhana goes away to fight in a battle. While he is gone, a royal advisor falsely accuses Manohara of bringing bad luck to the city. She is threatened with death. To save herself, Manohara flies away. She returns to her home in the Kimnara kingdom. Before leaving, she wisely leaves behind a ring and directions. These clues will help Prince Sudhana follow her.

Prince Sudhana returns to Panchala and discovers Manohara is gone. He decides to follow her. On his journey, he meets a wise hermit. The hermit teaches him the language of animals. This helps Sudhana find the Kimnara kingdom. The hermit also teaches him special prayers to win back his princess.

Challenges on the Journey

Sudhana's journey is very long and difficult. It takes him seven years, seven months, and seven days! Along the way, he faces many dangers. He confronts a scary Yaksha (which is like an ogre). He also has to cross a river of flames. Another challenge is a gigantic tree.

After this long and hard adventure, he finally reaches the Kimnara king. The king wants to make sure Prince Sudhana is truly sincere. So, he asks the prince to pass several tests. These tests check his strength, patience, and cleverness.

Proving His Love and Reunion

In the first test, Sudhana must lift a heavy stone bench in the garden. The second task tests his skill with a bow and arrow. The final and most important test is to identify Manohara. She is standing among seven identical women. Prince Sudhana recognizes her by the ring she left behind, which is still on her finger.

The Kimnara king is pleased with Sudhana's success. He agrees to their marriage. The happy couple then returns to Panchala.

How the Story Changed Over Time

Different Names and Places

The tale of Manohara has been told in many ways. In Burma (now Myanmar), the story was made into a play. Manohara was called Mananhurry. She was one of nine royal daughters living on a silver mountain. Prince Sudhana was known as "Thoodanoo," the Prince of Pyentsa.

In other parts of Southeast Asia, like Cambodia, the characters are called Kev Monora and Prah Sothon.

Other Versions of the Tale

The story also appeared in ancient Sanskrit Buddhist writings from Nepal. One version was called Story of Suchandrima and a Kinnarí. In this tale, the main couple were named Mahonará and Sudhanusha. Another Nepalese version, Kinnarí Avadána, tells of a hunter named Utpala. He captures an unnamed Kinnari with a magic rope. Prince Sudhana of Hastiná then finds her and falls in love.

In another translation, the prince was named Sudhanu. The kinnari was Manohara, and she was the daughter of King Druma.

Manohara's Lasting Impact

The story of Manohara and Prince Sudhana is very old. It may have inspired a special type of drama dancing. This dance is called Manora. It is still performed today in Thailand and Malaysia.