The Smaller Chariot Part II: The Legend of Min Nath
Seated in the smaller minaret styled chariot is an idol that over time has garnered many names. In the native dialect of Nepal Bhasa he is known as Chak: Baha Dyo (The god of Chak Baha in Patan of Lalitpur) and in Nepali as Jatadhari Lokeshwor ( Braided Hair Lokeshwor), but he is commonly called Min: Nath.
The legend of Min Nath passed down from oral tradition goes as follows.
Once there lived a pious king at Lagankhel of Matiligrama ( which was incorporated into the larger kingdom of Lalitpur), who was named Brisha Deva. His daily routine featured a walk to visit a nearby Buddhist stupa. He used to circulate the stupa several times reciting sacred prayers. One day during the process, he suddenly died!
His body laid there, waiting for last rites, whereas his soul had been brought to Yamaloka ( the land of the death) by Yama Dutas. He was placed before Min Nath, who is also known as Dharmaraj. It is him (Dharmaraj/ Min Nath) who decides what is right or wrong with the dead.
King Birsha Deva found the land enchanting. He heard the soothing sounds of the Gandavyuha- Sutra ( A sacred Buddhist scriptures) and saw how the God of Mercy ( Min Nath) treated those who suffered by squeezing water from his wet braided hair. For which he is also called Jatadhari Lokeshwor ( Braided Hair Lokeshwor). Now came the turn of king Brisha Deva to be inspected by Min Nath.
Upon a thorough inspection, he (Min Nath) told his messengers (Yama Dutas) that it is still too early to fetch king Brisha Deva and to take him back to his own home.
King Birsha Deva returned to his place. His lifeless body slowly began to move and he came to life.
The king was highly impressed by the spiritual atmosphere of Yamaloka and thus conjured a plan to recreate the same scenic setting in his kingdom. He requested master artisans to create a beautiful image of Min Nath and introduced the practice of reciting Gandavyuha- sutra.
Thus was born the cult of worshipping Min Nath.
When king Birsha Deva finally did pass away, his brother Balarchan Deva ruled in Matiligrama.
One night king Balarchan Deva had a dream in which Min Nath told him, "O king when you shall awaken, you will see a bird flying towards a particular place. Build a beautiful home for me at the spot where the bird alights."
When the king awoke, and he reached out to his astrologers, they unanimously stated that the dream was an auspicious one.The king built a monastery, the first of its kind in Matiligrama at a site where he saw a bird perching atop a tree. The monastery was named Jesthaverna Maha Bihar, meaning the first-ever monastery. The image of Min Nath was enshrined at the Bihar, and the tradition of a chariot festival was instituted.
When the trio of King Narendra Deva, with priest Bandhudatta and Rathacakra Jyapu, returned with Karunamaya and decided to institute a chariot festival, they wished for there to be only one chariot festival in Lalitpur.
But the unified kingdom of Lalitpur had seven chariot festivals.
It is said that six of the seven gods agreed to discontinue their chariot festival in honour of Karunamaya, but Min Nath wished different. Priest Bandhudatta tried his best to bring Min Nath to his control, but he failed.
After which Min Nath, opened his third eye and projected a beam of light which hit a small stupa outside the Baha gate. Another variation, states he threw a bajra ( lighting bolt). The stupa is still present at the premises and seems to have been hit by a strong force.
Thus, the chariot festival of Min Nath was not assimilated into that of Karunamaya, allowing the cult of Min Nath to continue and develop its own identity.
A schematic for a combined procession was created featuring two chariots, one of Karunamaya and the other of Min Nath. In honour of the other six gods and their chariot festival, they were incorporated into the chariot of Karunamaya, accordingly.
For almost two millennia and more, the chariot of Karunamaya has made its way through riveting terrain and waited at Jhana Ko for Min Nath. It has in time become not just a chariot festival but the identity of the city and the valley of Nepal Mandala ( Kathmandu Valley).
It has grown as a symbol of religious and cultural unity, with worshippers of multiple religious sects bestowing prayer and worship to the God of Compassion ( Karunamaya) and the God of Mercy (Min Nath).