Introduction to King Vrishadeva

Vrishadeva is the first Factual Lichhavi King of Nepal. He is the descendant of King Supushpa and King Jayadeva First according to the Chronicles.

King Vrishadeva was also the Great Grandfather of King Manadeva. He freed Nepal from the Gupta Empire and established Buddhism as a mainstream religion in Nepal.

The Inscription of Changu describes him as “Anupam” (unparalleled), while the Inscriptions of Pashupati describe him as “Rajottam” (the best king). He is described as an unparalleled King of Kings by King Manadev himself.

Personality of King Vrishadeva

King Vrishadeva is remembered as a just and benevolent ruler loved by his people. He was known for his compassion and kindness towards his subjects.

He has been regarded as an important King in two of the most popular Lichhavi Inscriptions. The First is The Changunarayan Inscription of King Manadev.

The inscription states: “Vrishadeva was a matchless king, who reduced the war by influence and opulence. His sons, who were well-controlled, learned, agile, earnest, brave, and disciplined, were like the rays of the sun. “

The Second Inscription that mentions him is the inscription of Pashupatinath by King Jayadeva Second. It states that:

Chronicles of King Vrishadeva

The Fact that Both King Manadev and King Jayadeva Second have mentioned King Vrishadeva positively as a wise and glorious King means that he was an important figure in Lichhavi’s History.

In the Gopal Raja Bansawali, Vrishadeva is mentioned as Vishwadev. He was honored as “Chaityabhattaraka“, a privileged title in Swayambhu Vihara, where he built a beautiful Stone monastery.

The Inscription of Changu describes him as “Anupam” (unparalleled), while the Inscription of Pashupati describes him as “Rajottam” (the best king).

He also had many sons among whom his eldest Shankaradeva became the King of Nepal.

Contributions to Buddhism

King Vrishadeva could have built various Buddhist monuments. He could be the King who constructed the Dhando chaitya of Chavel, the settlement of Chabahil, the chaitya of Bandegau (Vande village), and a big monastery near Baneshwor. The Chaitya of Syambhu could have been made during his reign.

King Vrishadeva was a follower of Buddhism and increased its activity. He is described in Changu’s Inscription as “Vyayamsansekshenkart”, which means “reducing the fighting” in Buddhism.

Several Scholars of Nepali History have theorized that Vrishadeva was a Peace Loving King and he was potentially inspired by Buddhism to follow the Non-Violence Path.

Syambhunath built by Vrishadeva

Contributions to the Independence of Nepal

The Gupta Empire under the Leadership of Samudragupta had forced Nepal to pay a self-defense Tax that undermined the Sovereignty and Independence of Nepal.

Taxation proved to be a burden for Nepal’s rulers. The kings of Nepal tried to free themselves from this obligation. After the Death of Samudragupta, the Gupta Empire started to crumble.

In this context, Vrishadeva is said to have liberated Nepal from the temporary effects of the Gupta Empire, as described by both Manadeva and Jayadeva, who lauded him as the ‘Unparalleled King’ and ‘Great King.’

However, detailed Historical Claims are required to prove that it was actually Vrishadeva who actively sought the Independence of Nepal. Nonetheless, during the Reign of Manadeva, Nepal was freed from the Tax Hold of the Gupta Empire.

Conclusion

King Vrishadeva was the great-grandfather of King Manadeva and the Grandfather of Vrishadeva. Although the inscription of his reign hasn’t actually been discovered, the Changu Narayan Inscription of Manadeva has lauded him as an unparalleled King.

References

  • Regmi, D. R. (1983). Inscriptions of Ancient Nepal. India: Abhinav Publications.
  • Vajracharya, Dhanavajra “Lichhavikalka Abhilekh” INAS, 1973
  • Vajracharya, Dhanavajra, and Kamal P. Malla. “The Gopalraja Vamsavali” Nepal Research Centre Publications, 1985
  • Regmi, Jagadish Chandra. “Pracin Nepalko Rajnitik Itihas” Royal Nepal Academy, 2035 B.S.
  • Poudel, Nayanath “Bhasa Vansavali Part I” Puratatva Prakashan Mala, 2020 B.S.

Citation

Pokhrel, A. (2023). King Vrishadeva – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/lichhavi-kings/vrishadeva/