The work 'avadana' in Sanskrit means good, noble, illustrations or heroic act. A section of Buddhist literature is called 'Avadana' because it deals with the tables pertaining to the noble, illustrious or heroic acts of the Buddha or any of his disciples. Through the medium of these tales which were mostly drawn from the folklore of the time, the Buddhist scholars tried to preach the people the law of karma by presenting before the law of karma by presenting before them the examples of these tales. The Sardulakarnavadana is an Avadanapar excellence. Through the well-known story of Prakrti, a candala girl and Ananda, an ardent disciple of the Buddha, this Avadana pr opagates the order in society based on worth rather than birth. It also has a vast store of contemporary knowledge regarding the constellations, stars, planets, omens, dreams etc. and their assumed effect on life on earth. A comparative and analytical study of the same has been presented this book in a classified manner.

About the Author Dr. (Mrs.) Sharmishta Sharma Born in U.P., the author was brought up and educated in Delhi. She obtained her Ph.D. degree from the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi. She is working as a Reader in the Department of Sanskrit at Vivekananda Mahila College, (University of Delhi), Vivek Vihar, Delhi.

Her interests include folklore, women's education, population education besides the Buddhist Studies. She is a sensitive person with literary taste which result in her writing plays and poems. She has many books and research articles to her credit.