A story behind Bishal Nagar

A long time ago, out of hatred to Shankaracharya, a party of one thousand Bananas murdered 700 hundred Brahmans residing in Bishalnagara.  The wives of these Brahmans immolated themselves as Sati, and their curses were so powerful that the thousand murderers were burned to ashes. The spirits of these Satis then become so turbulent that no one would venture to pass that way. Raja, therefore, in order to put a stop to this trouble, caused an emblem, having been erected for the Shanti, or peace, of the Brahma-pisachas, was called Santaneswara. It is also called Nandikeswara, from its having been erected by a Brahman of Bishalnagara, named Nandi, who himself after death was defined as Mopta-deva or Bhat-bhatyani.

This Raja, to establish peace on a more secure footing, instituted the custom of a yearly Jatra of the Navasagara Bhagavati of Bishalnagara, on the anniversary of the Preta-chaturdasi. The original image of this Devi, made by Viswakarma, was so frightful, that no one would pass that way. The people therefore buried it, and covered the place with stones. 

After the 700 Brahmans had been massacred, the rest of left Bishalnagara, and went to live at Deva-patan, where they built a house having seven courts. 

The dynasty of the Vais Thakuri of Nuwakot ends here. A descendant of a collateral branch of the solar race of the former Raja Ansu Barma, by Bama Dev, having gained over the nobles of Lalitpur and Kantipur, succeeded in expelling the Vais Thakuri Rajas, and made himself king.

Prithvi Narayan Shah : First Attack to Kirtipur

Prithvi Narayan was quick to see his opportunity in the disorder prevailing in the Nepal Valley. He decided to attack Kirtipur, a well-fortified town-let in the south-west part of the valley. It was part of the kingdom of Patan. It was his possession of the two vantage-points, Dahachok and Naldum, and the disunity between the Malla kings which prompted him to plan the attack. Accordingly he came to Dahachok accompanied by Kalu Pandey and all the leading counselors and chiefs. In the discussion which were held there, all his advisors, with the exception of Surapratap and few others, opposed the plan Prithvi Narayan was contemplating. The veteran Kalu Pandey, the infallible astrologer Kulananda, and the seasoned strategist Haribamsa Upadhyaya Adhikari, the frontier officer in command of the outpost, all argued strongly against the invasion for a variety of reasons, urging respectively that the Malla kings had temporarily patched up their differences, that the time was not auspicious, and that they had not so far sent any spies to fraternize with the people and it would be difficult to reduce the post by force of arms alone. Prithvi Narayan became very angry. He rebuked and abused Haribamsa and Kulananda for having sided with Kalu Pandey. He also charged them with vanity in regarding themselves as next to none in their profession, and challenged them saying that unsuccess was inconceivable it he himself took the initiative. He further told Kulananda that if he did not find an auspicious moment for the invasion he would order Balkrishna to do so and would sure achieve success by invading at the auspicious moment declared by him. Kulananda on his part berated Prithvi Narayan , telling him that Balkrishna was a child in comparison with him, and that to begin the campaign on an auspicious moment found by him was to invite disaster. But Prithvi Narayan was disinclined to suspend the operation. He again asked Surapratap and other chiefs and counselors for their opinion. They advised him to invade for they were confident that Kirtipur would be reduced. Kalu Pandey once more implored Prithvi Narayan to suspend the contemplated campaign as the Malla kings and the people of the Nepal Valley were for the moment united, and that the astrologer and the frontier officer, on whom the king himself relied, were also against it. But the opposition only angered him. Feeling himself humiliated, Kulananda left for Lamjung. Balkrishna was ordered to find an auspicious moment for the invasion against Kirtipur, and it began on Saturday, 28 May 1757, the day declared suspicious by the astrologer. 

Meanwhile however the kings of the Nepal Valley had heard of the imminent Gorkhalese attack on Kirtipur. They hurried up to patch up their defenses. They realized that Kirtipur was the heart of the Valley and hence its loss to Prithvi Narayan would consequently mean loss of their kingdoms.  They also realized that Prithvi Narayan should have been checked even earlier from making his advance to Dahachok. But then they had committed a blunder by letting him occupy it, and hence if they committed another blunder by letting him occupy Kirtipur it would be only inviting their own destruction. Accordingly they got prepared to take joint action for its defense.

Kalu Pandey, who was ordered to do battle when the auspicious moment approached, implored Prithvi Narayan for the last time to desist from invading in view of the fact that the combined armies of the Malla kings had arrived at Kirtipur which was in consequence invincible. He  anticipated defeat in the invasion and advised to cause estrangement between the Malla kings first. But far from listening to his advice, Prithvi Narayan charged him with cowardice. Consequently, Kalu Pandey, stung by so unjust an accusation, plunged into the battle, but as he did not expect to survive the fighting he entrusted his elder son Vamsaraj to the care of Prithvi Narayan before marching with his troops. Excepting Kulananda, who left for Lamjung, the sworn enemy of Gorkha, we do not see any of the Gorkhalese officers revolting against Prithvi Narayan in spite of his unreasonable behavior. On the other hand they forgot what the king had said to them and remained loyal to him. There is no doubt that it was to such virtues that Gorkha owed  its existence.

Meanwhile Jaya Prakash had marched via Tankeswor with his whole army, and King Viswajit of Patan marched via Ganeshthan to join him. Although the King of Bhadgaun (Bhaktapur)  did not join them, his troops were nevertheless sent to assist them in this joint venture. Jaya Prakash attacked Gorkhalese troops in their rear, the troops of Bhadgaun in their middle column and those of Patan in the van. The battle took place on the bank of a pond outside Kirtipur near the Balkhu river. Pressed by the enemies on three sides, the Gorkhalese were badly defeated. The dead numbered 400, among whom Kalu Pandey, Kamu Sahila, Jivan Khan, Lata Khatri, Sahasram Rana, Sobya Banuva and Seikh Zorabar. All the mercenaries brought from the plains by Sakti Ballav, a Gorkhalese officer were killed. A great number of Gorkhalese commandants and members of the traditional families died, and almost an equal number wounded. Kalu Pandey was struck down by Jaya Prakash himself. Prithvi Narayan, who had also participated in the battle, was saved in the nick of time from being fatally wounded by an enemy. It is said that a Sepoy who had raised sword to strike him was obstructed by another and was told that being a king he was not to be killed. He was carried away by a Duan (palanquin-bearer) and a Kasai (butcher), and lasted by Jay Krishna Thapa, a Gorkhalese officer to Dahachok. Jaya Prakash did not chase the Gorkhalese troops on their retreat. He returned with the head of scimitar shield of Kalu Pandey which he hung in the temple of Bag Bhairab in Kirtipur. Next day, he permitted the Gorkhalese to bury the dead and carry away the wounded. He thought that the Gorkhalese were now destroyed, and made great rejoicings. Prithvi Narayan realized his folly for having repudiated the advice given by Kalu Pandey. He was very sad at the huge casualties and at the death of Kalu Pandey. He stationed men for the defense of Dahachok. Those who survived who were sent to Nuwakot. Making these arrangements he also left Dahachok for Nuwakot. He was so sad at the costly defeat of Kirtipur that he suspended his campaign for two years.

Source : Life & Writing of Prithvi Narayan Shah

Shiva Puran : Parvati becomes Gauri

There were two asuras named Shumbha and Nishumbha. They meditated a lot and pleased Brahma. Brahma thereupon gave them the boon that they could not be killed by males. Having obtained the boon, the two demons started to oppress the world. They drove the gods out of heaven and the gods went to Bramha so that a solution might be found to the problem.

Brahma went to Shiva. You have to help the gods, he told Shiva. I have given Shumbha and Nishumbha the boon that they cannot be killed by males. Find a way so that a female is born out of Parvati's body. She will kill Shumbha and Nishumbha.

I will try, replied Shiva.

When Shiva next met Parvati, he addressed her as Kali. This angered Parvati, since Kali means black or dark.

Why did you marry me if you thought I was so dark? she asked Shiva. Why do you pretended to love me? Cursed is the woman who is not loved by her husband. I am going to perform tapasya so that I may become fair. I am going to pray to Brahma.

Parvati went off to meditate. She meditated for many years.

There was a tiger which saw Parvati meditating. It was not a good tiger at all, but an evil one. It thought that Parvati would provide a good meal. It sat down in the front of Parvati to appreciate for a while the treat that was in store for it. Parvati did not realize that tiger was planning to eat her. She though that it had sat down in front of her because it wanted to protect her from other wild beasts. She thought that it had sat down in front of her because it wanted to protect her from other wild beasts. She thought that the tiger was one of her devotees and she therefore entered the tiger's soul. As soon as she did this, all thoughts vanished from the tiger's mind. Now it was indeed one of her devotees.

Meanwhile, Brahma arrived to find out who Parvati was meditating. Parvati said that she wanted to become Gauri, that is, someone who was fair. She was sick and tired of being addressed as Kali. Brahma granted the boon.

Parvati shed off all the dark cells from her body became Gauri. From the cells emerged a dark-hued goddess named Koushiki. Parvati handed over Koushiki to Brahma. Endowed with with weapons by Brahma, Koushiki killed Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Parvati returned to her husband as Gauri.

What happened to the tiger? Shiva turned him into a man and he was employed by Nandi as one of Shiva's guards. He was named Somanandi. 

Shiva Puran : The Ashes

Parvati said, why do you always smear ashes on your body? What is the reason for that ?

Shiva told her the story. 

There used to be a Brahman who was descended from the great sage Bhrigu. This Brahman began a very difficult tapasya. The tremendous heat of the summer made no difference to him. Nor was he disturbed by the downpour of the monsoon. He was only interested in meditating. When he felt hungry, he used to ask the bears, the deer, the lions and the jackals to fetch him some fruits. The wild beasts had lost all fear of him, they served him instead. Later on, the Brahman gave up eating fruits also. He ate only green leaves. And because leaves are called Parna, the Brahman came to be known as Parnada. He performed tapasya for many years. 

One day, Parnada was cutting some grass and his scythe slipped and sliced off his middle finger. Parnada was amazed to find that no blood issued from the severed joint. Instead, a sap like that which issues from plants came out. Parnada's vanity knew no bounds. He realized that he was due to that fact that he had been living on green leaves for such long time. Parnada began to jump with delight. 

Shiva decided that Parnada needed to be taught a lesson. He disguised himself as a Brahman and arrived before Parnada. 

Why are you so happy? asked Shiva.

Can't you see? replied Parnada. My tapasya has been so successful that my blood has become like the sap of plants. 

This sort of vanity destroys the fruits of all tapasya, said Shiva. What have you got to be so proud about? Your blood has only turned into the sap of plants. What happens when you burn plants? They become ashes. I myself have performed so much tapasya that my blood has becomes ashes. 

Shiva sliced off his middle finger and ashes came out of it. Parnada was impressed. He realized that there was nothing that he could be proud about; here was a far greater hermit than he. He asked Shiva who he was  and Shiva then displayed his true form to Parnada. 

Ever since that day, there have always been ashes on Shiva's body.