Buddha Jatakam

This is a compilation of two important stories from the Jataka Tales (Buddhist Mythology) viz. Vidura Jatakam and Ummaka Jatakam. The series is produced with many special effects and high production values, employing virtual reality combined with live action.

In ancient India, King Dhananjaya Koravian ruled over Indraprastha. Although respected for his good administration and just rule, he had a major weakness - he was a compulsive gambler. His queen seeks the help of the royal priest to cure the king's gambling habit. The priest tells her that the king would have to learn his lesson the hard way. He adds that only when the king would lose something very dear to him will he be able to quit the addiction. Meanwhile, in Nagalok, the princess and her friends ask a sage about the princess’ marriage. The sage begins to narrate the story of the princess' previous birth.

The sage tells the girls that in her previous birth, princess Arundhati was Leelavati and was married to Amarasimhan. She was cursed by a sage because of which she was reborn in Nagalok as Arundhati while Amarasimhan was reborn as Poornagan. The queen of Nagalok learns about Vidurapandit’s wisdom and desires to see him. However, she learns that King Dhananjaya would not let Vidurapandit come to Nagalok. She thinks of an idea to get Vidurapandit to come and see her.

Nagarajan tells Arundhati to announce that whoever gets Vidurapandit’s heart can marry her. Arundhati meets Poornagan who is the son of Kuber’s sister. Poornagan follows Arundhati to Nagalok. He meets Nagarajan and tells him that he wants to get married to Arundhati. Nagarajan happily agrees, but queen Vimalai reminds him of Arundhati’s vow. Poornagan agrees to get Vidurapandit’s heart.

Poornagan wins the gambling game against Dhananjayan and asks that Vidurapandit be given to him. Dhananjayan is forced to give Vidurapandit to Poornagan. On the way home, Poornagan tries to kill Vidurapandit, but fails. When Vidurapandit asks Poornagan why he tried to kill him, Poornagan tells him the truth. Vidurapandit promises Poornagan that he would get him married to Arundhati. They both reach Nagalok.

Vidurapandit’s wife says that she will take 'jal samadhi' (drown herself) if he does not return in 7 days. Vidurapandit and Poornagan come to Nagalok where Nagarajan and Vimalai welcome him. Vamalai tells Vidurapandit that she does not want his heart and that she ponly wanted to get him to give discourse to her and her subjects. Vidurapandit suggests that Arundhati and Poornagan listen to his discourse together as a married couple instead of hearing it separately. Poornagan and Arundhati get married.

Vidhurapandit gives discourse in Nagalok; his wife prepares for Jal Samadhi and tells her son to perform the last rites. The grains, which his son offers to the sea, reach Vidurapandit in Nagalok. He realizes that his wife is preparing for Jal Samadhi and takes Nagarajan’s leave and leaves for his home. Poornagan takes him towards earth. They reach in time to stop Vidhurapandit’s wife from taking Jal Samadhi. Ummakka Jataka begins.

The kingdom of Parvath’s King Vivek gets introduced to some artists from Tamilnadu. Spellbound by their rendition the King rewards them. His advisors complain that they hold a grievance against him - the fact that he has not married and try to convince him for marriage. The King's astrologer predicts the advent of Gyanamaruthavan.

After completing his education Gyanamaruthvan takes leave from his Guru and he starts treating people as a healer. He also takes up social causes. and astonishes everyone with his wisdom. King Vivek comes to know that a 10-year-old child named Gyanamaruthvan is taking up social causes and solving people’s problems. Intrigued the King sends one of his men to find more about Gyanamaruthvan.

Devadatta is unhappy that he is being forced to marry his Guru’s daughter Pudumbara, so when a snake falls on Pudumbara, he rejoices and runs away, thinking that Pudumbara will die of snake bite. King Vivek saves Pudumbara. Pudumbara proposes to him. The King accepts her proposal and they get married. Swarna performs her dance at the temple in the presence of Gynamaruthvan and the villagers. The priest goes to Swarna’s house and gifts her the Lord's necklace which he steals from the temple.

Gyanamarutvan is called upon to solve the case of the stolen necklace. He proves that the priest has stolen the necklace. However, he does not punish the priest as keeping in mind that the priest and the dancer have served the temple for long. This impresses Madiyogi who is the king's spy. He narrates this incident to the king who is also impressed. He orders that Gyanamaruthvan be brought to meet him with state honor. Madiyogi conveys the king's invitation to Gyanamarutvan who accepts it.