The 2 volumes of Jataka stories constitute all the birth stories, which are arranged in 22 nipatas<-i> or books. The authenticity of these stories is enhanced by the presence of copious verses (gathas)<-i> which were uttered by the Buddha while still a Bodhisatta<-i>. Each story opens with a preface called the paccuppannavatthu<-i> or `story of the present`, which relates the particular circumstances in the Buddha`s life which led him to tell the birth-story and thus reveal some event in the long series of his previous existence as a bodhisatta<-i> or a being destined to attain Buddhaship. At the end there is always given a short summary, where the Buddha identifies the different actors in the story in their present births at the time of his discourse.<-p>

These stories have a special significance, as on on hand they are specimens of Buddhist literature, on the other hand, they highlight the social life and customs of ancient India.<-p>

They portray an unparalleled panorama of the village life such as Fa-Hian and Hiuen-Tsang saw it in the old days before the Muhammadan conquest, when Hindu institutions and native rule prevailed in every province throughout the craft, and betray a low opinion of women.<-p>