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Story of Panauti

A picture book prepared for READ Nepal under the project named "My Grandparents' Stories, My Pictures'', and in co-ordination with Nepalese

Society for Children's Literature (NESCHIL).

Editor Dr. Dhruva Kumar Ghimire

Yashu Shrestha

Illustrator Ekaram Singh

Coordinator Anuradha

Publisher

Rear Information and Resource Centre (RIRC)

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Story of Panauti Editor Dr. Dhruva Kumar Ghimire Yashu Shrestha Illustrator Ekaram Singh Coordinator Anuradha (NESCHIL) Publisher & Copyright Read Information and Resource Center (RIRC) Nepal, Kathmandu Edition First 2071 (1200 Copies) Price === === === === == ISBN: 978-9937-2-8743-2

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Best Wishes ‘Grandparents Stories My Picture’ is an attempt to preserve local histories and culture, traditional tales, myths, art and oral heritage of rural communities. The project was implemented with the financial support of American donor Kate Kinley Gregg.

This is a unique project in which the community elders share oral stories on histories and cultural heritages with the local children and youths. The children and youth then write the stories and draw illustrations. To preserve the traditional oral historical and cultural stories, the story books are published for future generations.

The project aims to preserve the ‘endangered’ oral heritage of rural village communities, to collect the stories, to engage the local people in the library, to promote the culture of reading among children, to encourage creativity and develop new skill in the children and youth. The project will help to bridge the intergenerational gap between elders and youth which is seen in today’s society and help to renew relationships across generations in the community.The project is implemented through READ Nepal supported community libraries which provide the venue for community meeting and discussion.

We are very happy to see the excitement of local elders when they share oral histories and tales to new generation before they become lost. Also, we are excited to be a part of this project as it gives an opportunity to youths and children to learn new skill and enhance creativity in them; and record the stories in books.

I would like thank and congratulate Nepalese Society for Children’s Literature (NESCHIL) for working in partnership with READ Nepal for project implementation and also Gyan Bikas Community Library and Resource Center for the support and coordination during project period. I would like to extend my heartily gratitude to local elders of Panauti for sharing oral stories, thoughts and experiences. I am thankful to the local children and youths for writing and drawing the stories. At last, I would like to acknowledge READ Information and Resource Center for publishing the storybooks which will remain as a permanent record and can be shared from generations to generations.

Sanjana Shrestha Country Director

READ Nepal

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Editorial Story telling has been a part of our Nepalese culture from centuries with the elders usually telling stories to children while feeding, sleeping and dealing with children. However, as Nepalese society modernizes and with the use of television, internet, mobile etc, Nepal is slowly loosing the tradition of folklores and storytelling. The culture of storytelling is important to bridge the intergenerational gaps and for strengthening the bond between the generations. So, it is important to preserve the stories, cultures and traditions of communities before they become lost.

READ Nepal has designed ‘Grandparents’ Stories My Pictures’ program to preserve traditional stories and knowledge and to share local culture and histories; to promote children’s literacy; encourage creativity, and to engage community youth and elders. This kind of program is launched for the first time at the community level in Nepal. The program is currently being piloted in 5 READ Centers in which elders share the stories, myths & histories, children write and draw illustrations and story books are published. READ Information and Resource Center is proud to publish the story books and we are thankful to READ Nepal for this.

Also, I would congratulate and acknowledge Nepalese Society for Children’s Literature (NESCHIL) for success of the project s along with Jhuwani Community Library-Chitwan, Gyan Bikas Community Library-Panuati, LaxmiNarayan Community Library-Lamjung, Janajagaran Community Library-Nuwakot and READ Information and Resource Center-Badikhel. We are always looking forward to your feedback and suggestion for effective implementation of the project in future and success.

Bhola Kumar Shrestha Chairperson,

READ Information and Resource Center

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The Story of Panauti

I am Panauti. I am an ancient town situated at about 32kilometer east of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. I’m beautiful not only from the scenic point of view but am also well off from the point of history, art and culture. Though situated on the lap of Mahabharat Hill, I have neither high and jagged peaks nor very flat lands, surrounding my landscape. I am surrounded by green hills and endowed with moderate climate. I am well-known not only among the farmers and local people but also among the tourists, wayfarers and pilgrims.

I was only a village before I was declared a municipality in the year 2053 BS. I was declared a municipality having five surrounding villages

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namely Khopasi, Malpi, Sunthan, Subba Gaon and Taukhal been merged within me. And I am very happy about it.

I had a history even before I was declared a municipality or even before when I was a village development committee. I was rich and prosperous during Malla period that happened before the merger of myself and of Kathmandu valley in greater Nepal in the process of its unification. I was one of the Drangs ( most developed village) during Lichhvi period. Researchers have always been active to find out more facts about me. Maneshwor temple was built here as a mark of gratitude to the famous king Mandev of Lichvi period and with this has begun the revelation s of my history in a more distinct background.

Every life ranging from that of insects to human beings has its own story. And, therefore, there is no reason why I should not have one as I existed for the last thousands of years. There are stories about me

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concealed under each and every layer of the land and under each and every period of time. Archeologists are busy excavating me with a desire to get my name listed in the list of the World Conservation Sites. This overwhelms me with joy and happiness.

Let me first tell you something about the story about my naming:

Nepal Bhasa (Newari language) is the main language here. After Indra the king of heaven was absolved of the curse in my place, it was believed, that every person, at least once, in his or her lifetime must set his or her feet in this holy place to get his or her sins washed away. Initially, the place was known as Palati and then it became Panchali and later it came to be known as Panauti.

The theory that says that the first, middle and the last letters of the three rivers Padmawoti, Lilawoti and Rudrawoti (pa, la and ti) flowing on my east had first contributed to the formation of my name Palati, and from Palati it had eventually changed into Panauti also sounds quite convincing.

It is also believed that I got my name as Panauti as a distorted form of the river Punaywoti that flows on my north.

It is also said that I got my name from the word bamboo which is Pa in Newari language.

I am going to tell you a story about myself that has survived the time period that existed before the written history. It has survived in the form of legends and fables.

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It so happened one that Brahma, the creator of the whole universe, while in the process of creating human beings happened to create a maiden of exquisite beauty whose name was Ahillya. As she was endowed with all the ‘thirty two virtues’ and with a splendor of extraordinary charm, the news of her magnificence spread not only in the realms of common men and ascetics but also in the realms of gods and deities. Fearing that he himself might fall a prey of her charm, Brahma the creator got her married to a most renowned sage Gautama.

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The newly married couple made a humble abode for themselves at the bank of a river near a place called Brahmapuri in modern Janakpur district. They spent their days lovingly and also praying and meditating.

Even before her marriage, Indra the lord of heaven had a crush on her. Despite the fact that he had all the fairies and nymphs of heavenly beauty at his disposal, he could not keep himself from being enthralled by the magic of Ahillya’s appeal and beauty.

One day, he descended to the earth and went about looking for his love. When, at last, he had spied Gautam and Ahillya at a cottage in Brahmapuri, he began figuring out their daily schedules. It did not take him long to find out that Gautam had a habit of going to take his bath in the river every day before sunrise. ‘That was the time when Ahillya would be all by herself in the cottage’, he thought. And, he had a wicked thought born in his mind. He thought of making the most of the time even if it meant ravaging her fidelity towards her husband.

As luck would have it, that morning, the birds began chirping and the cocks crowing well ahead of their usual time. Mistaking the sound for a day break, the sage left for the river as usual.

As he was consumed with lust and lascivious greed, Indra lost no time entering Ahillya’s cottage, in the disguise of sage Gautama.

On seeing her husband back home so soon, Ahillaya asked, “What made you return so soon, my lord?”

Indra who was in the guise of Gautam replied, “Darling, I was mistaken about the time of my bath. I have come back to go again after some while.”

Going near her, he proposed her she submitted herself to him physically, to which, she consented willingly. Everything about the man being exactly like that of her husband Gautam---his gait, his mannerism, his voice etc., she had no qualm submitting herself before the man.

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That’s how Indra got his lascivious desire satisfied. Ahillya had not the slightest inkling of what had happened to her and to her fidelity.

When Gautam came back home, he was beside himself with wrath when he found another man, but looking exactly looking like himself, in his wife’s company.

Fuming with rage, he yelled at his wife, “Who is this man that you are having a romantic time with in my absence, you slut. You are a woman lacking in moral values such as shame, fidelity and virtue. You are a heartless like a. I hereby put a hex on you that you become a rock.”

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Ahillya was shocked to hear the wrathful words coming from her husband’s mouth.

She made a heartrending request before the learned sage. She said, “Lord, it is no mistake of mine. I have become a victim of this man’s treachery and stratagem. I submitted myself before him physically thinking him to be you. Please take your curse back.”

The wrathful sage replied, “Never mind whether you did it knowingly or unknowingly; but you have sullied your body. You will be freed of the curse and come back to your present self only when you will be touched by Lord Ram Chandra’s feet. This will happen only in tetra yug (third mythological epoch).

Indra who had been listening to the talks going on between the husband and the wife was overtaken with fear and remorse. Coming back to his senses and with both hands clasped, he implored, “O, reverend sage, I have committed a sin. Please excuse me.”

There was no question of granting amnesty to a man who was in an authority to be able to punish anyone who committed a mistake.

The sage retorted, “You Indra, what are you lacking in? You have all the charming ladies and nymphs at your disposal in the paradise of which you are the king, but despite so much of amenities and luxuries to indulge yourself with you have committed adultery with another person’s wife. You deserve no clemency. I hereby curse you to have sores and holes all over your body.”

Taking some water in his palm from his kamandalu ( water pot with a spout carried by ascetics), and chanting some mystical words, he tossed the water all across Indra’s body.

No sooner had the water fallen on his body, Indra’s whole body was dotted with disgusting sores and holes.

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This was the way Indira who had lost his self-restrain and self-discipline was punished. He did not dare going back to the paradise. From then onwards, he lead a life of a fugitive, hiding himself in the forest.

Gautam, in desperation, left the place for good and disappeared elsewhere.

All the gods and deities started fretting and getting nervous when Indra was not seen in the paradise for a long period of time. Indryaini also called Sachi the wife of Indra too was in a state of depression. She went to the palace of Brihaspati the all knowing teacher of the past, present and the future, for consultation. Seeing her before him, he was full of sadness and disappointment. Indryani stood speechless before him.

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Smelling something fishy, she told him, “Please take me to the place where my husband is, O all knowing teacher of the past, present and future.”

Teacher Brishapatit took her to a very remote and inaccessible place on the earth where Indra was hiding.

On seeing his wife and the teacher before him, he said in a voice full of embarrassment, “I had lost all my power of discretion and self-restrain that led me to a path of this devastation. I have committed a crime that even an ordinary person is forbidden to do. I’m not in a position to show my face to anybody. Could you please find a way out of all this, O teacher?”

The teacher was moved by the condition that Indra was in.

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He said, “It is only Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati who reserve the right to absolve anybody of their sins.”

He added, “You’d better go to a place called Panchal that is situated on the confluence of the two rivers Punyawoti and Lilawoti and you worship Shiva and your wife Sachi worship Parvati for at least twelve thousand years where upon you will be absolved of your sin.”

Having said this, Brihaspati vanished into the air.

And the couple came to me on their way looking for the confluence of the two rivers.

I also know the story that tells why the confluence lying on the east of Panauti is considered sacred. It goes like this:

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Many many years ago, Kathmandu valley was completely submerged in water. Kathmandu became suitable for human settlement only after Lord Krishna and Manjushree had cut Chovar Gorge through causing all the water to drain away. After this incidence, the pace of human settlement was very rapid and soon the place burgeoned into a city.

Once upon a time, it is said that, as the farmers of Kathmandu valley, the farmers of my place too were in a dire need of water. Being unable to bear the suffering his subjects underwent, Dirgharath the ruler of my region climbed the Phoolchowk ridge that lay in my east. He headed for the place, on top of the ridge, where Phoolchowki or the goddess of the rivers lived. When he reached there, King of Patan was already there to make a request to the goddess of the river to bless his area with a river. Each one of the two kings had requested for a river, to be flowed in their areas—one in Panchal and one in Patan.

“Please bless my area with a river, O goddess,” they both had made the requests exactly at the same moment.

Goddess said, “You are blessed” but after a second thought, she added, “I cannot bless two rivers at the same time. Therefore, I will grant a river only to him who is able to first get me flowers made of gold and silver.”

“As it suits you, reverend goddess,” they both said and left for their kingdoms.

In that period of time, Patan city had already earned a good name in the fields of art and architecture. The King of Patan, on his return to his kingdom, invited the best of the artists and artisans of his kingdom and got them down to the task of making flowers of gold and silver.

On the other hand, the king of Panchal or the king of my kingdom, returned to the palace overcome by sadness and sorrow. It was never possible for the farmers of his kingdom who were given only to cultivation and animal farming to make flowers of gold and silver. The democratic king Dirgarath who reposed total faith in his subjects called a meeting and told them of the demand made by goddess Phoolchowki.

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In one voice, they all opined, before the king, “It will look more sensible, on our part, if we offer her with natural flowers than offering her with flowers made of metals, since she is nature’s (river’s) goddess.”

In consistent with the people’s idea, the king and some of his subjects made an offering of yellow and white colored natural petals, the following day.

Phoolchowki Goddess was very pleased by the offering and, therefore, directing the flow of water towards Panchal, said, “O great king Dirgarath, this river being an object of my blessing is very holy. In addition to this, when it flows and meets another river at some distance away, the confluence of the two rivers will bar more religious

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significance and, therefore, will become more sacred. On taking a bath in the confluence, a person will be absolved of all his or her sins and will achieve salvation. In every twelfth year a great religious fair will be held at the confluence.”

After some years, the king of Patan presented the goddess with flowers made of gold and silver. He cast a spiteful glance towards the river that flowed to Panchal and told the goddess that she had been bamboozled. It is believed to be the reason why the river is known as River Roshi or the spiteful one.

However, the king of Patan was not the one to concede defeat so easily. He went on with his prayer.

It was only after six years since King Dirgarath was awarded with the river Roshi when goddess appeared and said to the king of Patan, “O king, I am very pleased with your prayer. But I feel that you don’t require so much water as the people of Panchal need. I, therefore, will award you with a river that has a shorter distance. It will be known as

River Godavari and a great religious fair will be held there in every twelfth year. There will be a large congregation of devotees in the fair.”

Since that time onward, two ‘twelve year’ religious fairs are held at these two places in a gap of six years. I’m very glad that this practice is being observed even today.

As told by goddess Phoolchowki, the confluence of the two rivers, namely Roshi (also known as river Lilawoti) that flows on my south and Punyawoti that flows on the north, being a sacred spot, Indra was here to pray and meditate to wash away his sin. As asked by teacher Brihaspati, he worshiped Lord Shiva and Ahillya worshiped Parvati .

Both Lord Shiva and Parvati were pleased with their rigorous worship that continued for twelve thousand years. It is said that Shiva, also known as Rudra, appeared before Indra in his actual self whereas Parvati appeared before Sachi in the form of the river Rudrawoti.

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The Shivalinga that Indra had worshipped as Shiva is presently known as Indra-Mukteswor Mahadev. It is situated on my east. The temples constructed in different periods of time by the devotees have added extra splendor to my significance. There is also a temple of Brahmayani together with other two temples of Bhairab and Bisheshowr Mahadev who are the two different forms of Lord Shiva.

This is how Triveni Ghat, the confluence point of three rivers, came into existence on my east. The name and fame of Trivedi Ghat that could wash away the sin of Indra spread far and wide. All the sores and holes in Indra’s body got healed thanks to the blessing of Lord Shiva. His body was back to its former luster. Indra and Sachi again worshiped and made offerings to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Because of the prayer and

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meditation done by Indra and Sachi at this place, this place is considered a very sacred place and is known as ‘Sachi’s place for Pilgrimage’. At this confluence takes place a religious fair in every twelfth year. This holy site is also known as Uttar Prayag and one finds its mention so often in Hindu scriptures. Indra made a request to both River Lilawoti ( Roshmati) and River Indrawoti to move slightly apart from each other. The two rivers, then, moved apart –one towards the north and another towards the south. A wide flat land appeared in the space between these two rivers. Believing that the place would be densely inhabited in the future Indra entrusted Vasuki Cobra with the task of conservation and propagation of the place.

He said to the king cobra, “O Dhananjaya Vasuki, I hereby entrust you the task of conservation and propagation of this place and also the task of looking after the wellbeing and prosperity of this place where I had had my sin washed away. Please do this to the end. With these parting words to Vasuki, Indra and Sachi left for their abode in heaven.

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Dhananjyaya the King Cobra not only looked after the conservation of Trivedi Ghat with the sincerity of thoughts, words and actions but also took care of the health and happiness of the denizens of Panchal, later known as Panauti. It was believed that there never would be a shortage of water supply where lives Vasuki Cobra. That’s the reason why the people of Panauti were always blessed with abundance and prosperity. Whenever the people of this place felt something depleting or lacking in their life they would pray Vasuki and Vasuki would immediately bless them and fulfill their demands. He would also see to it that the people of Panauti had enough of food and logistics to celebrate festivals and rituals. We all were delightful and proud. I am always thankful to Dhananjaya Vasuki for this patronage of his.

When Vasuki was in charge of the protection and prosperity of Panchal there was a king Cobra by the name of Karkotak in Kathmandu Valley. He was very powerful. During his reign, his subjects hardly faced any kinds of problems or anxieties.

There was a strong bond of friendship between Vasuki of Panchal and Karkotak of Kathmandu Valley.

One day, Karkotak’s son made a request to his father, saying, “Father, I am sick and tired of staying in this place. I, therefore, would like to request you to please grant me permission so that I can go for a visit to the adjoining landscapes with a human as my friend.”

The father said, “It is fine with me, son. A prince should have the knowledge of not only of his own kingdom but also of the areas surrounding it. If you are going to the east you can very well spend some of your days in Panchal as a royal guest of king Vasuki. He is a very good friend of mine. You will be taken care of very warmly by him.”

Saying, “Thank you, father,” the prince cobra set out to visit the eastern parts of the region, taking a man with him as his company.

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The two friends had a great time swimming and trekking on their way to Panchal. When they arrived in Panchal they were lavishly treated by the cobra King Vasuki.

Having spent four days in the palace of Vasuki, the prince said to Vasuki, “O Great King, thanks Your Majesty for the wonderful hospitality. It is time we left now. We want to flow in the currents of Lilawoti and Punyawoti and visit the places far beyond. Will you please bid us farewell, your Majesty?”

Vasuki replied, saying, “Good bye!” to them.

They went ahead swimming, starting from the confluence of Roshi and Punyawoti.

After some days, they arrived at Gajuli Pond near Kuleshwor temple. The ruler of the pond was a cobra with a very rude nature. He did not like strangers visiting his kingdom.

He said to the Prince, “How dare you to enter my kingdom without my permission? If you really mean business, let’s have a fight in land, water and sky. The one who loses should be obliged to obey the winner.”

This was too much to bear for the prince cobra.

Handing over a ring to his human friend, he said, “Friend, we are going to have an underwater fight in Gajuli Pond. If I’m able to kill my enemy, you will see the color of this ring and the water of the pond turning white. And, if I get killed the color of this ring and the pond will turn red.”

Not before long, the prince cobra was into the water.

Under the water, they fought and fought for many days.

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His friend, standing outside the pond, was constantly looking sometime at the ring and sometime at the water of the pond. After some days, he noticed a very terrible sight. The colour of the water and the colour of the ring both turned red. He was at a loss on how to inform Karkotak about the death of his son. However, he went running to Kathmandu. Panting and puffing and his eyes full of tears, he stood before the snake king. He reported everything in detail.

On one hand, the snake king was beside himself with sorrow and, on the other, he was overwhelmed with a desire of vengeance. After a mourning period of some days, he advanced with his army to wage a war against the king of Gajuli Pond. He made my land i.e. Panchal as his first base of his army.

Karkotak told everything about the death of his son to Vasuki and requested him for help. Vasuki thought that it was very right of his friend Karkotak to prepare himself for a war to avenge the death of his

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son. But the snake army that he had with him was not in such a large number.

Therefore, he requested all the dhikis (wooden machine for husking rice) of Panchal kingdom and its neighboring areas to take the form of snakes and get ready for war. As per the order of Vasuki, all the dhikis of the area took the form of snakes and moved forward under the banner of Vasuki’s and Karkotak’s army. A great war ensued between the two

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enemies. Finally, it was the king of Gajuli Pond who was vanquished. Thereafter, the king of Gajuli Pond left the pond and went into a hiding in some other place.

Karkotak thanked Vasuki and his army of dhikis and returned to his kingdom.

And for this reason, the practice of using long wooden dhikis for threshing rice is totally forbidden in Panauti ever since that time. Is not this very interesting?

But time is not the same always. Even an altruist like Vasuki happened to fall a victim of a treachery and stratagem. The story goes like this:

As mentioned above, the way the capital city of Kathmandu and Panuti were associates in the unifications of Nepal exactly in the way we two had our share of progress and prosperity.

Population in Kathmandu valley was always on the rise. As Kathmandu was submerged under water for centuries, its land was very fertile and it yielded good harvest even at the expense of simple and easy labor. So, in leisure, the people of Kathmandu were able to construct monasteries, temples and involve themselves in the works of art and architecture.

But unfortunately, it so happened once that there was no rainfall in the valley for twelve consecutive years. The people had a very hard time surviving. There was big loss of men, animals and property. There were no crops left even for seeds. It was natural for the king to be sorry and alarmed when a calamity of this big magnitude struck his kingdom.

Narendradev the king of Bhaktpur, one of the kingdoms in Kathmandu valley, wanted to figure out the reason behind the famine. He called a massive meeting of all his subjects and called upon them to figure out the cause of the crisis. At that time, Banduduta was the most accomplished tantric in Kantipur. He was an authority in Tantrism.

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He said, “Your Majesty, Gorakhnath is seated in Mrigasthali and he has all the snakes of this area under his throne. So long as the snakes are not freed from under his seat, there will be no rain here.”

King replied, “When there are solutions for the hardest of problems there must also be one for this.”

“Yes Your Majesty, there is one but it is a very difficult one. If only we could fetch Gorkhnath’s teacher Machendranath to this place from Kamarupa, Gorakhnath would automatically visit here to have Machendranath’s darshan (to show his obeisance). In his absence, the snakes will be freed and we will have a rainfall.

The king said, “There is no such thing as impossible. So it’s you who will be leading the way to Kamarupa. Let’s take Lalit the old farmer of

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Patan along and go to the place where Machendranath lives and bring him here.”

Accordingly, the three of them left for Kamarupa Kamakshya (present Assam state in N.E.India). After a long and hazardous journey of many days, they reached Kamarupa Kamakhya where lived Machendranath the teacher of Gorakhnath.

On reaching there, Bandhudutta started off with his tantric rituals.

He told the king, “Your Majesty, I’m on my way praying and chanting to bring him to his spot. Very soon, he will come here in some form or other and enter my kamandalu. As soon as he enters, you need to imprison him inside the kamandalu by closing the mouth of the kamandalu as well as the opening at its spout.”

The king said, “Okay.”

Vandhudutta started chanting incantations after incantations and calling upon Machendranath to appear before them using his power of tantric knowledge.

After some time, king saw Machendranath entering kamandalu in the form of a moth. The king was very quick in closing both of its openings.

Without losing any minute, they left the place and walked back home, Bandhuduatta in the front, Lalit in the middle and the king in the last, guarding Machendranath all throughout the way.

On their way back home, they heard a “Bu” sound coming from inside the Kamandalu in a place called Bungamati. Therefore, Bungamati is considered as a place of Machendranath’ rebirth.

There arose a heated argument and a furor over the place where Machendranath was to be resided.

The king of Bhaktapur wanted Machendranath to be resided in his own kingdom. He said, “Since Bandhudutta and Lalit had accompanied me to

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Kamarupa Kamakhya as per my command, Machendranath must be kept in my kingdom.”

To which, Bandhudutta of Kantipur said, “It was I who first found out about him and it was I who could bring him under control by the power of my tantric knowledge. Therefore, I beseech, Machendranath be resided in Kantipur.”

Then it was the turn of the peasant from Patan, who had carried Machendranath all the way from Kamarupa to the valley on his shoulder, to speak.

He said, “Since it was I who had carried Machendranath on my shoulder all the way from Kamarupa Kamakhaya, I beg he be kept in Patan.”

There was no sign for the argument to end that day or the days thereafter.

Lastly, it was unanimously decided that they would accept the ruling of the man who is the oldest one, in age, in the three kingdoms.

Next day, standing on top of seven musals( wooden posts), stacked one over another, that stood at the crossing of seven roads, an old man said, “The farmer who carried him on his shoulder reserves the first right to have his say about the place where Machindranath will be staying in the future.”

But before he could speak further, he fell down from the top of the musal(wooden post) and died then and there.

However, the king and Bandhudutta both agreed to accept the old man’s ruling and it was decided that Machendranath would be seated in Patan. But it was later decided that since it was in Bungmati where he had taken his rebirth, it would be sensible to keep him in Bungmati for six months and for another six months in Patan.

As his teacher Machendranath had arrived to the valley, Gorakhnath was obliged to go to Patan to pay him his darshan (obeisance).

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No sooner he had got off the throne, the snakes sitting underneath him became free and went to their own places, causing it to rain heavily.

Thus the life of the people was brought to normal.

As a mark of honor to the god of rain and prosperity, the people of the valley started a chariot festival to be held once in every twelfth year. This festival was known as Machendranath’s jatra and is still observed in a grand manner.

They called upon him to stay here permanently to which Machendranath replied, saying, and “I have no problem staying here permanently if Vasukinag agrees to sit under my feet.”

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The people of the valley were beset with another problem. How to make Vasuki sit under Mahchendrnath’s feet?

I have a story about its solution. Since it bears a direct relation with Panauti that means with me, I know about it and I am going to tell it now.

Not only the people, deities and gods and snakes but also the Dhanajaua Vasuki of Panauti had made it one of their rituals to go and take part in the festival of the rain god Mahchendranath. Bandhudutta came to know of Vasuki’s visit to the festival. But he had a problem recognizing Vasuki in a crowd of so many people because he came in the guise of a man? But it did not take it long for Bandhudutta to learn that the man who would be ‘one head’ taller than the others had to be Vasuki. And in one of such festivals, he saw a man who was ‘one head’ taller than the others.

At the end of the festival, Bandhudutta went after the tallest man incognito. He had no doubt left in his mind about Vasuki’s identity when he saw him entering his residence in Panauti. With a wicked design in his mind, he sat down in front of Vasuki’s residence to pray for his appearance.

Dhananjaya Vasuki appeared before him in his real self.

Bandhudutta said unto him, “O king Cobra, from a distance, though, I have seen you in the guise of a human being. I crave to see you in other forms and shapes as well. Will you please care to show me the largest form and the smallest form of yours? Dhananjaya Vasuki agreed to this and presented himself in his largest manifestation before Bandhudutta. This manifestation of Vasuki made three rounds of Dalinchowk, also known as Gorakhnath ridge that lies on my north, and rested its head on the gajur (spier) of Brahmayani temple. Bandhudutta was wonder struck on seeing this massive form of Vasuki.

Bandhudutta then said, “I saw you in your largest form so will you please now show yourself in your tiniest manifestation?”

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With an air of conceit in his voice he replied, “I can easily enter from the main opening of your kamandalu and come out from its spout. You can see it for yourself. Have a look.”

No sooner had Vasuki entered the Kamandalu, the evil within Bandhudutta sprang into action and Bandhudutta got him imprisoned inside his kamandalu with the power of his tantric knowledge and headed quickly for the valley. Bandhudutta was glad that his wily design and efforts had come to fruition.

Because of his simple and easy going nature, Vasuki was ensnared in the devious design of Bandhudutta.

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When Vasuki came to know of what had befallen him, he started shouting and calling out for help from inside the kamandalu. But because it was night and the people of Panauti were in deep slumber they could not hear the voice of their benefactor that came from inside the kamandalu. As Bandhudutta feared that, if he walked through the middle of the town, someone could hear Vasuki’s call for help, he walked along Punaywoti on my north that flowed towards north-west direction. Though all the stones of Punyawoti, in their bid to release Vasuki from the clutches of Bandhudutta, had turned to the northern direction, there was no sign of any help from the people of Panauti.

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Vasuki, who was lying imprisoned inside kamandalu, made himself so heavy that Bandhudutta had to rest his kamandalu somewhere on the half way. When he found no one coming to his rescue, in a place called Chaskhusi where Bandhudutta had rested his kamandalu, Vasuki was very disappointed and sad. He was hurt on the thought that the people of Panauti were so selfish and not caring to rescue him.

From inside the kamandalu, he made wishes, “May you the people of Panauti, always have enough to eat but not have any moment left for relaxation. May none of you be very rich and may none of your unmarried daughters have their hearts settled and steady.”

With the power of his incantation, Bandhudutta made the kamamndalu lighter and moved ahead on his way forward. Finally, he stood in front of Machendranath with Vasuki hidden inside his kamandalu.

He said, “As desired by you,Vasuki is here to be with you underneath your feet. O lord, since we have fulfilled your desire, you must remain here forever.”

Then he turned to Vasuki and said, “I’m sorry, Vasuki. I was obliged to make you captive and bring you here because we had to keep god of rain here permanently. I therefore, request you to kindly make yourself comfortable and sit under the feet of Machendranath, for good.

Vasuki expressed his sorrow for being cheated. However, he said, “It is fine but, I implore, I may please be allowed to go the place of my birth whenever there are festivals or fairs there. And, may the people of Panauti be allowed to visit me or to get my darshan ( to pay me obeisance) whenever they desire.”

Everyone there agreed to what he had proposed.

These days, on the occasion of Jesth Purnima, a great festival is held in Panauti. Three or four days ahead of the day of the festival, a massive whirlwind blows over the fields and gardens of Panauti causing the maize trees to incline to the east. Having sent an advance message of

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this kind, Vasuki comes to me to witness the festival. He enjoys living here in my company. Four or five days after the completion of the festival, he returns to his own abode. He gives an indication of his departure by causing the inclined trees to stand upright again.

The people of Panauti are welcome to go and get a darshan of Vasuki whenever they want. There is no one to stop them.

It is also believed that Vasuki comes to stay in Panauti for one whole month during the Makkar festival that occurs once in every twelfth year.

I have already told you that, in the past, my name was Panchal state. I have also told you how king Dirgarath had been able to direct the Lilawoti into my kingdom, having made Phoolchowki the goddess of river happy.

I remember a story about the king’s youngest son Mahastwo.

It goes like this:

King of Panchal had three sons namely Mahadev, Mahaprasad and Mahsatwo. One day, all the three princes, having taken permission from their father went out to the forest. In the forest, Mahsatwo saw a tigress along with her cubs, about to die of hunger. Mahsatwo’s heart did not allow him to return to the palace without doing something to save their lives. But he knew that his brothers would never cooperate with him in the execution of his plan. Therefore, he excused himself from his brothers saying that he was going to collect the packet of flowers that he had plucked for his mother and went straight to the spot where he had seen the ailing tigress.

He saw that the tigress and the cubs were not in a condition to move their bodies. They all were on the verge of dying. Thinking that it was his duty to save the animals, he broke a thin bamboo tree and impaled it in his own body. He fed the tigress with the blood that spurted out of his wound. When the tigress got to lick the warm blood, she opened her eyes a bit. Mahatswo was very pleased to see this. Then, he cut a chunk

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of flesh from his thigh and fed it to her. The tigress ate up the flesh with relish. Then he went on feeding the tigress with different parts of his body. Finally, there was nothing left in his body except bones, though this gave the tigress a new lease of life. She was, then, able to feed her young ones with her milk. They too got new lease of lives.

In the palace, the king and the princes waited and waited for the arrival of Mahastwo but when there was no sign him even by the next morning, the king and the two princes set out looking for him. On their way, they stumbled upon some bones lying strewn on the ground. When they saw royal robes also lying on the ground, they surmised that the bones were of no one but of the prince.

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They buried the Mahastwo’s bones having put them in a big bowl of gold.

The tale of his heroic deed spread like wild fire. The people applauded him for the act of his altruism.

After some days, Lord Budha visited Panauti where he heard the story of Mahastwo’s exploit. This got Budha overwhelmed with emotion and he paid his naman (obeisance) to the great hero.

In memory of Mahastwo who had received naman (obeisance) from Lord Budha a stupa is constructed at a distance of about three kosh from Panauti. The stupa is now famous as Namo Budha Stupa.

I feel very proud for having given birth to a valiant hero like Mahastwo in my land. That’s the reason why I can never forget this story.

And that is the end of my story.