Nepal not only nurtures and promotes Hinduism and Buddhism but also harbours several traditional myths and legends. These myths and legends are very fabulous, marvelous and even romantic. The ancient people were meticulous in their observation and studies and some time highly scientific. Therefore, we deem it both exploratory and revelatory to examine the allegorical significance conveyed by myths, beliefs and legends which are shared in all climes and frontiers by Nepalese of all shade of religion.
Nepal's origin
Nepal has a very long past according to legends and mythologies though its recorded history began as a much later date. It is not that easy to chronicle the mythological period and to interpret the past record is equally brought with serious difficulties.About the origin of the word 'Nepal', there are several legend's .According to a widely accepted view, a saint named 'Ne' or 'Ne muni' used to practice austerity and was protecting and preserving this region through spiritual preaching. It is said Ne did the preaching at Teku, Kathmandu. Thus according to this legend, the land protected and blessed by the saint Ne Happened to be known as Nepal.
Origin of the Kathmandu valley
About the origin of the present Kathmandu Valley, it is believed that it was originally a lake submerged ion water and the king of snakes named Karakotak was living in it. Later, Bodhisattva Manjushri came to Nepal and cut open the mountain of the valley at the southern side with a magic sword. The water flowed out of the valley which then became habitable. The Swayambhu purana gives the name of the divine visitor as Vipaswi Buddha, Kashyapa Buddha etc who preceded Sakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautam).It will be worthwhile to give here a very interesting legend about the origin of the Kathmandu Valley. Hundred or even thousands of years ago there was a deep lake, full of large varieties of aquatic animals but that was all no lotus grew upon it’s water. As time went on and centuries rolled by, Vipaswi Buddha came and repeating charms over a lotus, threw it into the lake. He prophessed, “When the lotus flower will grow then shall the Self born God (Swayambhu) become manifest as a flame.” Again Centuries passed in like a mere drop in eternity. Next time came the Sikhi Buddha. He also pretended, “This shall be delightful abode to the dwellers and a place for pilgrims and the travelers who will one day visit here.” After this declaration, he too went away. Then came third Buddha, again after many centuries later. He gave the most important message, “When a Bodhisattva (Bodhi Essence) causes the land to appear above the water, it shall flourish and people will be prosperous.”Then after, Manjushri, a bodhisattva came. After circumambulation of the lake, he cut off the mountain through which the water of the valley got drained away by the river Bagmati at Chobar Gorge which to this day stands as the magnificent spot. The place is also called Chobar or Kotvar. The sacred prints of the feet of Manjushri can be seen near stupa of Swayambhu nath which Manjushri later on established.According to another legend it was a Hindu God, Vishnu who cut off a gap in the mountain with his disc (charka) to make the land habitable.Long after the Bagmati flowed away through the gorge, Krishna also visited the land. Lord Shiva also took the form of gazelle in the valley at the present site of Pashupatinath Temple complex. When the valley started flourishing Manjushri again visited and left Dharmkara. He ruled Nepal but he has no Issue therefore, Dharmpala a visitor who came with Karukuchand Buddha became the ruler.
About Krishna
According to a legend, Lord Krishna came to Nepal on the wing of Garuda and his grand-son Anirudra was married to Nepal. Krishna’s Grand-son was Anirudra who was very handsome like his father Pradyumna. Several princesses were tempted by his charming personality. It is said that Usha was the daughter of thousand armed demon named Banasura. He was the eldest son of Bali, a friend of Shiva and enemy of Vishnu. He was sovereign of the Himalayas and ruled the region from a majestic abode situated in the girth of the water clustered lake of the Kathmandu Valley. Usha saw ian adream a young prince and began to set her heart on him. Her friend, Chitralekha, skilled in painting and magic art, drew pictures of several gods and princes to identify the dream prince of Usha. At last, with the guidance of Usha she drew portrait and recognized him by her magic power to be Anirudra. Chitralekha brought Anisudra to Usha again by using her magic power. When Banasura learnt that his daughter has a lover in the palace. He got the palace thoroughly searched and found the intruder. Banasura got Anirudra bound with serpents’ bands. When Krishna, Pradyumna and Balram came to know this, they came to the valley, then a lake, to rescue Anirudra. It is said that Krishna at time took Garuda as a vehicle to come to Nepal. Banasura fought the battle with Krishna, and he was magnificently assisted by Shiva and his son. Skanda, the god of war was sounded by Pradyumna. Banasura has his hand cut off in the fight with Krishna, but life was spared at Shiva’s intercession. Anirudra was released and he returned with Usha to Dwarika(India).
About Machhendranath
According to a legend, once during the reign of King Narendra Dev of Bhaktapur there was a severe drought for a period of 12 year in the Valley of Kathmandu. This resulted in the worst famine ever witnessed and it caused heavy loss to human being and animals. Out of austere meditation for a long period of time, the King’s spiritual guide Bandhudutt divined that it was Gorakhnath, the disciple of lord Machhendranath, who hasd caused the drought by imprisoning the valley’s rain giving snakes under the Mrigasthali hill (near the temple of Lord Pashupatinath). He did this with the object of punishing the valley people who did not accord due respect to him; Also, Gorakhnath thought that his divine Guru, Lord Machhendranath, would appear when he will know of the people’s misery sorrow.The King’s learned priest, Bandhudutt, was now sure that the valley people would have believed that only lord Machhendranath would appear. The King and the priest along with the farmer- porter of Patan started to fetch lord Machhendranath who according to legend was the youngest of five hundred sons born to the demon, Shashi, who ruled Assam (India). The snake god Karkotak Naga joins the party to overcome any obstacles created by demons. Bandhudatt recited very powerful mantras as a result of which Machhendra transformed himself into a large bee and flew into the golden ceremonial vase of Bandhudatt. This was brought to the Kathmandu Valley. The returning party stopped near the Nakhu River, 3.2 km south of Patan for a rest. Gorakhnath, who had prevented the escape of snakes by putting himself at a top of the hillock, came to any homage of his Guru. All the rain giving snake-gods got released. It rained heavily and the valley people felt highly relieved. The scarce vessel containing Machhendra in the form of bee was enshrined at the very place called Bunga and since then it is worshipped as Machhendra’s birthplace. In course of time, a beautiful temple was built for Machhendra near Patan Durbar Square. A mammoth festival was held in which the image of Machhendra was drawn in a chariot around the street of Patan. The image was then taken to this temple in Bungmati Village where it was kept for six months. In keeping with the time-honored tradition, the same practice id followed till today.
There are several legends about Pashupatinath Temple. According to some, at the point where Pashupatinath’s Temple stood there was a big fire which had been blazing since the origin of Universe. The fire went out later on.There is another legend that a cow belonging to Nem Gopal used to drop milk on Jyotrilinga (self-resplendent) of Pashupati. Gopal has the holy darsan of Jyotrilinga of Pashupatinath on getting the site excavated.There is another very interesting legend about the origin of unique Jyotirlinga of Pashupatinath.Originally this whole Universe was a sea and the earth was immerged inn it. There was total darkness. At that time a dispute arose between the two gods Brahma and Vishnu. Brahma said that he is the creator and protector of the world. Vishnu said that he is the creator and destroyer of all the beings; and he is the Sadanand, Vishwanand, Ishwaranand origin of all the deities. The debate made each of them become all the more recalcitrant and both the god were arrogantly trying to establish one’s superiority over the other. At that time a linga in the form of celestial light appeared between the two. That linga was bright and luminous, dazzling and beautiful. Soon that linga which was elongated went on growing steadily longer and longer. Seeing the intense bright light both Brahma and Vishnu started to run away, at that time there was an oracle in which the Jyoti or the celestial light said that out of the two gods he who would first reach and find out the beginning of this light would be the superior of the two. After hearing the announcement, both of them agreed to go out on the expedition and find the tail and the head.
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