Introduction

1. Princess Yasodharā was the wife of Prince Siddhārtha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

2. She later entered the order of Buddhist nuns and is considered an Arahant.

3. Yasodhara was the daughter of King Suppabuddha who was a Yadav King, and Pamitā, sister of the Buddha's father, King Suddhodana.

4. She was wedded to her cousin, the Shakya prince Siddhartha, in his 16th year when she was also 16 years of age.

5. At the age of 29, she gave birth to their only child, a boy named Rāhula.

6. On the day of his birth, the Prince left the palace.

7. Yasodharā was devastated and overcome with grief. Hearing that her husband was leading a holy life, she emulated him by removing her jewellery, wearing a plain yellow robe and eating only one meal a day. Although relatives sent her messages to say that they would maintain her, she did not take up those offers.

8. Several princes sought her hand but she rejected the proposals. Throughout his six year absence, Princess Yasodharā followed the news of his actions closely.

9.When the Lord Buddha visited Kapilavatthu after enlightenment, Yasodharā did not go to see her former husband but ask Rahula to go to Buddha to seek inheritance.

10. For herself, she thought: "Surely if I have gained any virtue at all the Lord will come to my presence. "According to fulfill her wish Lord Buddha came to her presence and admired her patience and sacrifice will helped him to fulfill his wishes not in this birth but also in previous birth, by quoting Chandrakinnara Jathakaya.

11. Some time after her son Rāhula became a novice monk, Yasodharā also entered the Order of Monks and Nuns and within time attained Arahantship.

12. She was ordained as Bhikkhuni included among the five hundred ladies following the Prajapati Gotami to establish Bhikkhuni Order.

13. She was declared as foremost in possessing the supernatural power among the nuns.

14. Amongst female disciples, she was chief of those who attained great supernormal powers. She died at 78, two years before Buddha's Parinibbāna

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