NATIONAL GLORY OF NEPAL

1. KING JANAK

There is a big town called Janakpurdham in the terai. During Ramnawami a big festival is held there. It remaind the King Janaka and his daughter, Janaki or Sita. In ancient times, Janakpur was known as Mithila. It was the capital of the famous kingdom of Videha. Janakpur was the centre of learning. Among the kings of Videha, Janak was the most famous. His real name was Sri Dhoj. He was a learned and wise king. His court consisted of learned people.

While King Janaka ruled Janakpur, Dasaratha was the king of Ayodhya. Rama, the eldest son of Dasaratha was married to Sita. Sita was the daughter of Janaka, who was also known as Janaki. The Ramayana, a great Hindu epic, is the story of Rama and Sita.

2. GAUTAMA BUDDHA

Kapilbastu, one of the districts in Lumbini zone in the terai region. It was once the kingdom of Sakyas. Suddhodhana was the king of Kapilbastu in the sixth century B.C. He had two queens, Mayadevi and Prajawati . Mayadevi gave birth to a child called Siddhartha. Mayadevi died five days after the birth of her child. The step-mother Prajawati looked after the child like a real mother. At the age of 13, Siddhartha was married to Yasodhara. Yasodhara was the princess of Devdaha. They had a son called Rahul.

Siddhartha was always curious about the mysteries of life. Siddhartha realized that human life is full of suffering. Siddhartha saw a sick man, an old man and a dead man. Siddhartha used to think about the worries about human life. Siddhartha used to ask himself: why do people suffer from diseases? Why do people grow old? Why do they die? What is the remedy of all these troubles? Siddhartha was anxious to know the answer to such questions. At the age of 29, he left his wife and son, parents and relatives, wealth and properly. Then Siddhartha set out at midnight in search of knowledge and truth of life.

Siddhartha went to many places, and made contact with many people, but Siddhartha was not satisfied. Siddhartha sat for meditation in Gaya for six years and practiced hard penances. At last, on the day of full moon, in the month of Baisakh, Siddhartha attained a supreme knowledge, sitting under the banyan (Bodhi) tree, and become Buddha or the ‘enlightened one’. There after he was called Gautama Buddha.

Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath. Gautama Buddha laid stress on four Noble Truths which are as follows:

1. There is sorrow in life,
2. There is a cause of this sorrow,
3. The cause is desire,
4. If desire is removed, sorrow can also be removed.

The Eight fold paths are:

1. Right beliefs,

2. Right thinking,

3. Right speech,

4. Right action,

5. Right occupation,

6. Right desire,

7. Right conduct and

8. Right meditation

Gautam Buddha advised to follow the ‘middle paths’. There should not be be much pleasure in life nor total withdrawal from the pleasure.

Gautama Buddha preached his religion for forty-five years. At the age of eighty, Gautama Buddha died at Kushinagar. After his death, many people preached Buddhism. Ashoka, the Mauryan king of India, spread it far and wide. Today Buddhism is one of the major religions of the world. It can spread to Nepal, Bhutan, India, Sri-Lanka, China, Japan, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, Thailand and other south-east Asian countries.

3. ARANIKO

Araniko, who is also known as Balabahu, was a famous architect during the reign of Jay Bhimdev Malla. The Chinese Emperor, Kublai Khan, wanted to build a golden stupa in Tibet for the teacher, Pagspa. So, in 1260 A.D. he asked king Jaya Bhimdev Malla to send skilled architects. Altogether, eighty architects were sent from Nepal. Araniko was made the leader of the Nepalese architect.

Araniko was a talented architect. He built several pagado-type monastries and stupas in Tibet. Kubli khan’s teacher, Pagspa was impressed with Araniko and presented him to king Kublai khan. Araniko made all kind of works of art in China. The Chinese emperor grew very fond of him and appointed him ‘the controller of imperial studies’. He was also awarded several titles and honours.

Araniko settled down in China and made the country rich with his works of art and architecture. The White Pagoda, the Archway of Yung Tai still sing the glory of Araniko. Araniko married in China, first a Nepali lady and then eight Mongol ladies. He had eight daughters and six sons. Araniko had many disciples and pupils. His art and frame spread far Mongolia and Indonesia. The Chinese Emperor was so impressed with Araniko that the Emperor appointed him ‘the Controller of Imperial Studies’. Araniko died in 1306 A.D.

4. SITA

King Janka had a daughter named Sita. She was also known as Janaki. Sita was a beautiful lady and was dear to her parents. King Janaka had promised that the person who could break his massive bow would be the one to marry Sita. Many brave princes, kings tried to break the bow but no one could. Ram the eldest son of the King Dasaratha of Ayodhya broke the bow. Then Sita was married to Ram.

After marriage, Ram was exiled for fourteen years. As a true wife, Sita also accompanied Ram to the forest. They had to face a lot of trouble there but Sita bore it all without complaining. Ravana, the demon king of Lanka kidnapped Sita from the forest. Ravana wanted to marry Sita but she did not agree although Ravana threatened to kill her. Sita was faithful to Ram in deed, and thought. At last, Ram killed Ravana and rescued Sita. Ramayana, the great Hindu epic is the story of Ram and Sita.

Sita had many noble qualities. Some of them are as follows:

· Strong belief in faith and religion.

· Hardwork, intergrity, social values and high moral character.

· Kindness to the poor and helpless.

· Devotion to her family and to her country.

· Love and affection to the people.

Sita is recognized as the ideal Hindu woman and a glory of Nepal. Sita is greatly respected by all. Sita is the pride of Nepal.

5. BHRIKUTI

Bhrikuti is another noble daughter of Nepal. Amshuverma was the father of Bhrikuti. Amshuverma was a far-sighted Lichchavi king. During his period, Srongchangampo was the king of Tibet. Srongchangampo was very powerful and was extending his territory. Srongchagampo wanted to attack Nepal and occupy it. King Amshuverma gave his daughter Bhrikuti in marriage to Srongchangamop. Bhrikuti got married to the Tibetan king to maintain friendly relation between Nepal and Tibet.

Bhrikuti promoted Nepalese art, religion and culture in Tibet. Bhrikuti established better understanding between the people of Nepal and Tibet. Her contribution helped Nepal protect and preserve the territorial integrity and independence. Bhrikuti is widely respected in Tibet (China) and in Nepal. Bhrikuti was called Green Star (Harit Tara) in Tibet. So, she is also included in the list of the glory of Nepal.