The Manimekhalaï is one of the great classics of Indian culture. A second-century Tamil verse epic, it is a sequel to the Shilappadikaram, which was also masterfully translated into prose by the acclaimed musician and scholar of Hinduism, Alain Daniélou. Rich with details of the period’s arts, customs and religions, the Manimekhalaï provides an extraordinary picture of an age that suddenly comes back toife. It is the story of a beautiful young dancer who decides to forego herooming career as a courtesan in order to dedicate herife (with the aid of gods, demigods and a magic bowl called the Cow of Abundance) to charity and to attaining the ‘brightight of knowledge’.