Most stories of women in history are about their great sacrifices and how it led to enormous benefits for everyone. Back in the days of yore, women mostly made history by being a queen or princess who did substantial work. Women did not have the means to think of carving their own destiny. They just followed orders, married whoever they were told to as their fate was all tied to the men in their lives before and after marriage.
Such is the story of our Licchavi Princess Bhrikuti Devi (7th century AD). A tender 16-year-old who was promised in matrimony to the Tibetan King Srong Sen Gampo who helped her father King Narendradeva regain his throne. Upon the death of his father King Udayadeva; the throne was usurped by his uncle Vishnugupta. In lieu of his military support, the Tibetan king asked for Bhrikuti’s hand in marriage.
Bhrikuti married Srong Sen Gampo, presumably about the time they fled to Tibet (c. 621 CE), following the take-over of the throne or after winning the war. Historical facts are limited but Min Bahadur Shakya, noted Nepali historian, writes how unwilling the young princess was to go to a faraway land which was considered barbaric and undeveloped compared to Nepal. This is echoed in the words of King Srong Sen Gampo written in Mani bKa Bum (Tibetan historical literature) “You the King of Nepal have the laws of ten moral virtues, but I the King of Tibet have no laws. If you speak of giving Lha Geig Khri-btsun (Tibetan name for Bhrikuti), I within one day by manifesting 5000 bodies will establish all the people of Tibet in the ten moral virtues in this kingdom of snow.”
Bhrikuti had a big role to play in exporting the essence of Nepal to its neighbours. She took along 80 Nepali artisans with her and built the first 13 storey building of the 999 room Potala Palace.
In those days, Nepal was a more cultured country than its neighbours. Buddhism flourished and its arts and architecture were more advanced. Chinese and Tibetan travellers were amazed to see the refined beauty of Nepali culture. The marriage of Princess Bhrikuti was an important landmark in the political and cultural history between Nepal, Tibet and China, and for the spread of Buddhism. King Srong Sen Gampo, enchanted with the development of Buddhism in Nepal, wanted to introduce similar civilised culture to Tibet.
Bhrikuti had a big role to play in exporting the essence of Nepal to its neighbours. She took along 80 Nepali artisans with her and built the first 13 storey building of the 999 room Potala Palace. Today, there are still two rooms inside the Palace that date back to 7th c.
Princess Bhrikuti was a major force in bringing the second wave of Buddhism to Tibet and China with the Vajrayana sect influences from Nepal. The first wave is credited to Singha Sartha Bahu who legends claim to be the first Nepali trader to Tibet. After Princess Bhrikuti, Padmasambhav or Guru Rimpoche brought the third wave to strongly establish Buddhism in Tibet.
The Jokhang temple has definite evidence of the influence of Nepali architecture in the struts, pillars, carvings and arches. As part of her dowry, Bhrikuti brought Buddha statues of Sakyamuni and Pancha Buddhas which inspired Tibetans to convert from Bon Po (indigenous shamanistic and animistic religion) to Buddhism. The Jokhang temple was originally built to house all the Buddhist statues brought by Princess Bhrikuti. Besides sculptures, the princess also brought many Buddhist scriptures containing the teachings and practices related to Vajrayana Buddhism.
The princess even travelled to Bhutan to propagate Buddhism and is believed to have built some of the ancient temples there too. She found a good partner in the second wife of King Srong Sen Gampo, the Chinese princess Wenchen Wangbo. Together they spread Buddhism in China too.
At an innocent age of 16, she was married in an unknown land, with her life being traded for victory in war by her father. Admiringly, she took it in her stride and managed to make a strong place for herself in the Tibetan court, and had the vision and courage to propagate the ideals of her birth country. A glorious daughter of Nepal who can be considered the first recorded ambassador of Nepali art. A remarkable woman but unfortunately a “herstory” that is not much celebrated by this nation.
Reference: Princess Bhrikuti Devi, Min Bahadur Shakya; Book Faith India, 1997
