Junior Rasmussen
The story of Siddhartha and Yashodhara, the Buddha's wife, is an inspirational one. The couple, born on the same day and in the same neighbourhood, were married at the age of sixteen. They were wedded for twelve years before Yashodhara became pregnant with their first child, a son named Rahula. However, tragedy struck when Siddhartha left the palace in search of enlightenment, leaving his wife devastated and grieving. Despite Yashodhara's pivotal role in the development of Buddhism, urging the Buddha to found a nun order, her story is often untold and forgotten.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of Siddhartha and Yashodhara at the time of their wedding | 16 years old |
| Length of their marriage before Yashodhara became pregnant | 12 years |
| Age of Yashodhara when she became pregnant | 28 years old |
| Relation between Yashodhara and Siddhartha | Cousins |
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What You'll Learn
Siddhartha and Yashodhara were married when they were 16 years old
The story of Siddhartha and Yashodhara is a timeless tale that has been told and retold countless times, with each narrative offering a unique perspective on their shared journey. One aspect that remains consistent across various accounts is that Siddhartha and Yashodhara were married when they were just 16 years old.
Siddhartha, known as the Buddha or the "Awakened One," was a prince who turned his back on worldly pleasures to pursue a spiritual path. He was the heir to significant wealth and power, with access to all the pleasures that came with his status. Yashodhara, also known as Bhaddakaccānā or Bhadrakātyāyani, was a Koliya princess and the daughter of King Suppabuddha. She shared a deep connection with Siddhartha, as they were born at the same time and in the same neighbourhood, just a few doors away from each other.
Their marriage was not without challenges. King Suppabuddha initially objected to the union due to concerns about Siddhartha's potential renunciation of household life and his lack of traditional masculine skills. However, Siddhartha's exceptional performance in a tournament allayed these worries, and the king eventually consented to the marriage. The wedding celebrations in the city of Kapilavatthu lasted for seven days, with the citizens joyously participating in the festivities.
Siddhartha and Yashodhara's marriage lasted for twelve years before Yashodhara became pregnant with their first child, a son named Rahula. However, on the seventh night after Rahula's birth, Siddhartha made the heart-wrenching decision to leave the palace in search of spiritual enlightenment. Yashodhara was devastated and overcome with grief, as she was unaware of his plans and motives. She lived with the heartbreak of his absence, experiencing the pain of abandonment that has been dramatically portrayed in various sources.
Despite the challenges and heartbreak in their story, the marriage of Siddhartha and Yashodhara at the age of 16 holds a significant place in the rich tapestry of their shared narrative. Their union and subsequent journey reflect the complexities and sacrifices that arise when one partner embarks on a spiritual quest, leaving the other to navigate the aftermath.
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They were cousins
Siddhartha and Yashodhara were first cousins. Yashodhara's father was the brother of Queen Maya, and her mother, Amitā, was the sister of King Suddhodana, Siddhartha's father. The Shakya and the Koliya were branches of the Ādicca or Ikshvaku dynasty, and there were no other families considered equal to them in the region. As a result, members of these two royal families married only within themselves.
Siddhartha and Yashodhara were married at the age of sixteen. They were born on the same day in the month of Vaishaka, just a few doors away from each other. They shared a mutual respect and rapport with each other, but it is said that they did not have many desires towards marital life. It took a long time for Yashodhara to conceive a child, and she gave birth to their only son, Rahula, when she was twenty-nine. On the night of Rahula's birth, Siddhartha left the palace in search of enlightenment, leaving Yashodhara devastated and grief-stricken.
Yashodhara became a Buddhist nun, known as a bhikkhuni, and was considered an arahata. She wore yellow-coloured robes and fasted, just as Siddhartha did. She dedicated her life to spreading the teachings of Buddha and focusing on good karma. When Siddhartha returned to Kapilavastu, Yashodhara met him after many years, and King Suddodana described to him how she had spent her life without him.
The story of Yashodhara, the wife of Siddhartha Gautama, is often untold, and each version is different. However, her role in the Buddha's story is significant, and her narrative is rich and multi-layered.
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Yashodhara was pregnant with their first child when she was 28
Yashodhara and Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, shared a deep connection from the very beginning. They were born on the same day, in the same neighbourhood, just a few doors down from each other. As they grew up, they were married at the age of 16, continuing the tradition of unions between their two royal families, the Shakya and the Koliya, which were branches of the prestigious Ādicca or Ikshvaku dynasty.
For twelve years, Yashodhara and Siddhartha lived as husband and wife. During this time, Siddhartha enjoyed the privileges of his status as a prince, with access to wealth, power, and all manner of worldly pleasures. However, at the age of 29, Siddhartha had a profound realisation while on chariot rides outside the palace, witnessing the suffering of the world for the first time. This marked a turning point in his life.
On the seventh night after the birth of their first child, with Yashodhara still 28 years old, Siddhartha left the palace in search of enlightenment. He did not inform Yashodhara of his intentions, and she was devastated and grief-stricken when she learned that her husband had departed to lead a holy life. The heartbreak she experienced was profound, and it was made even more difficult by the fact that Siddhartha left without inviting her to join him on his spiritual journey.
Despite her pain, Yashodhara played a vital role in the development of Buddhism. Together with Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, the Buddha's foster mother, she urged him to establish a nun order when he returned to Lumbini with his monks after his awakening. Initially, he refused their pleas, but they persisted, and their efforts ultimately contributed to the growth of the Buddhist tradition.
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Yashodhara was devastated when Siddhartha left
Yashodhara, also known as Yasodhara, was the wife of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. She was also his cousin, and the couple were married when they were both 16 years old. They had a son, named Rahula, when they were 29.
On the night of Rahula's birth, Prince Siddhartha left the palace, an event known as the Great Renunciation. Yashodhara was devastated and overcome with grief. She had no idea that he was planning to leave, and was left alone with their newborn son. The next day, everyone in the palace was surprised by the prince's absence.
Yashodhara was aware of her husband's quest for enlightenment, and she followed the news of his actions closely. She knew that leading a holy life was his goal, and she supported him in his efforts. However, she was still heartbroken by his departure and the fact that he left without her.
The famous Indian Hindi poet Maithili Sharan Gupt tried to express Yashodhara's emotions in his eponymous poem about her. The poem captures the pain and sorrow she felt after being left behind by her husband.
After Siddhartha's departure, Yashodhara decided to lead a simple life. She removed her jewellery, wore a plain yellow robe, and ate only one meal a day. She later became a Buddhist nun, known as a bhikkhuni, and was considered an arahata.
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She was also known as Bhaddakaccānā or Bhadrakātyāyani
The wife of Prince Siddhartha, Yasodhara, was also known as Bhaddakaccānā or Bhadrakātyāyani. She was the daughter of King Suppabuddha and Queen Pamita, although one source states her mother was Amitā. She was born on the same day and in the same neighbourhood as Siddhartha, just a few doors down. She was married to the prince when they were both 16 years old, and she gave birth to their only child, a boy named Rahula, when she was 29.
The name Yasodhara means 'bearer of glory' in Sanskrit. In the Pali Canon, the name does not appear, but there are two references to the name Bhaddakaccānā. In the Burmese Buddhas tradition, she is also referred to as Yasodhara Their and Bimbadev.
Yasodhara is an important figure in the Buddha's story, and her narrative is often described as untold or hidden. She is said to have experienced heartbreak after Siddhartha's departure, as he left without saying goodbye to her or their newborn son. She was unaware of his motives and, according to one account, he left on the very day she gave birth. After his departure, she imitated his lifestyle by removing her jewellery and wearing a plain yellow robe, as well as eating only one meal a day. She refused offers of support from her relatives and other princes who asked for her hand in marriage.
After Siddhartha gained enlightenment and became Buddha, he visited Yasodhara. He admired her patience and sacrifice, and she asked their son, Rahula, to seek inheritance from the Buddha. Rahula became a novice monk, and Yasodhara entered the order of monks and nuns, becoming a bhikkhuni or Buddhist nun. She is considered an arahat or arahatā, and she dedicated her life to spreading the teachings of the Buddha and focusing on good karma. She died at the age of 78, two years before the Buddha's Parinirvana.
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Frequently asked questions
Siddhartha and Yashodhara were married for twelve years before she became pregnant with their first child, a son, at the age of twenty-eight.
Yashodhara, also known as Yasodhara, was the wife of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. She was the mother of Rāhula and the niece of Mahaprajapati Gautami.
After their son was born, Siddhartha left the palace to become a śramaṇa. Yashodhara was devastated and overcome with grief when she heard that her husband had left.
