A tale of Maheshwori Temple

We receive what we deserve

This story took place in Bhaktapur kingdom very long time ago, at eastern city of current Kathmandu valley.

 

Once upon a time in Bhaktapur Kingdom, there lived a poor mother with 3 children. Her husband has gone to foreign for a long time but never got chance to communicate with her. He had to go abroda to earn money for the family. They were so poor that they have just a small house as their property. She works hard entire day but still she could not meet 2 meals for her family. Although her tough time was always there in her life she never gave up her hope and faith in her devotion. She had faith in Goddesses Maheshwori so she never skipped any mornings going to Maheswori temple. She always goes there and shares goddess her stories, like how people treat her for her poverty. She wore a “Ga” (newari name for woolen shawl). It was a worn-out ga that she never changed since she does not have any warm cloths. She wore a worn-out haku patasi (typical Newari home manufactured sari that is black with the red edges at two sides), putulan (a typical Newari women’s wear for upper body) and a “Jani” (a cloth enough long to tie along the waist for warmth and for using it in a need for any purpose). Her children also had same clothing that were worn-out. The childrens' were very kind because they have seen their mother struggling. They never demanded for big things.

One day Maheshwori goddess decided to come in a general woman form with her children. They were walking past the field where this poor woman was working hard with her 3 children. Goddess has many children that are “Bhucha” – a dwarf ghost that can cause anything harmful to humans, “Kawancha” – a ghost that is made of only skeleton that has power to cause illness and could even take life of human, “khyacha” – a ghost that is entirely covered by hair and plays with children to tickle and make laugh but with their appearance always children get nightmares and they cause irritation to children, “Bbyetah” – they are the stubborn children of lord Bhairav and Maha Kali and many others. And she and other goddesses takes care of all those children and other supernatural beings and the souls, ghosts and demons that has different forms and natures. It was almost dark and the fogs covered the sky since it was a cold winter time. Maheshwori went near by this poor lady and told her that if she could help her. Goddess said “mai, chhuyana chownau”? (dear daughter, what are you doing?) The poor lady slowly stood up straight in pain and took a long breath and replied her, I am just finishing my work cleaning the field for the landlord here. Now from tomorrow the land is ready for their next crops or any purpose they wish for. Then after reply she looked at the goddess, and as she looked at the goddess she got relieved from her pain.

She asked the goddess that who she is and from where did she come from. Also she told her that she felt her like a close person. Then goddess replied her that she was here since long time but never has she noticed her. And today coincidence happen and here I am in front of you. Then goddess smiled and acted that she needed her help. Goddess told her that she was going for a feast to attend but it’s already too late and my kids are all hungry. Goddess asked her if she has any food to feed her children. 

The poor lady took out a sack a quarter size of a football that was tied in her jani. She saw half of the sack was the mixture of soil and crops she picked from the field. She carefully removed all of the soil, cleaned it and cooked it. She then placed the half of the food for her children and half she gave it to goddess.

 Looking at this Maheshwori goddess asked this poor lady to come along with her in the feast that she is intended to go. So Maheshwori goddess askd her to carry her youndest child who is naughty. Poor lady accepted to go together with her since she wanted to help this old woman. She put her 3 children to sleep after their food. She empty stomach went to feast with goddess who was empty as well. On the way to the feast the child poor lady was carrying was biting her so she carried the kid opposite facing to her on her back. Then Maheshwori told her that in the feast she is going to encounter ghosts and demons along with goddesses. At this phase this poor lady was in the spell of goddess and she did not reacted to what she heard about ghosts. They arrived at the venue. Their she did not looked at any one but had her eyes looked at ground. She was not reacting as a normal people who could have reacted to see or imagined a ghost around her. However she saw the servers feet they were altered. Toe and fingers side was at the back of them. The laughing, crying sounds of the ghosts, demons were loud in her ears. Now she was given a plate made out of large plants leaves and there was a huge portion of beaten rice. Now she got her eyes opened as she saw the meat she was served was the human flesh. she saw fingers and organ parts. She got scared and then same time goddess Maheshwori whispered in her ear. She said "well what you are looking at is not a dream and this is real. I am Goddess Maheshwori whom you always met in the temple in the form of stone sculpture. I have always heard your grieves, sorrows and pain. So today I brought you here in purpose. Whatever you are served accept it all as my blessings. If you like you can eat whatever you like but rest don't throw them but instead put those all in your woolen shawl. So after when Maheshwori goddess told her that now put all this in your shawl and carry back to your home. You could get frightened to death so don't rise your eyes to their body or appearances. Once when you reach home put this entire food and shawl as it is for 3days. And on the 4th day after refreshing recite my prayer as you always do and open this shawl. You will get what you need. Following the instruction of goddess she left the venue. On her way back she came back to her full sense. She thought what am i going to do with this human flesh. I better throw all the flesh and blood soaked beaten rice and just bring the beaten rice that is not soaked in blood. She throw away those flesh and blood soaked foods and brought back home some rice covered with same shawl. days passed by and she was surprised that the blood soaked shawl did not make bad smell. And as instructed on 4th day after refreshing herself in the morning she opened the shawl with prayer recitation. She saw rays coming out of the sack. She saw all beaten rice has turned to diamonds and precious gems and all the blood soaked shawl has turned to gold. She regretted what she did even after what she was instructed to do. So she went to the temple and ask goddess to forgive her for her mistake. Then goddess whispered in her ears don't say sorry that is alright. She said "you got what you deserved". Then the tough life of this poor lady has turned to rich and generous life. Also her husband out of no where came back from the foreign earning fortune.