Pushpavati
| Pushpavati | |
|---|---|
| Maharani | |
| Pushyabhuti Empress | |
| Died | 647 (aged 47-48), due to Sati, India |
| Spouse | Harshavardhana |
| Dynasty | Pushyabhuti |
| Father | King Pushpavarmana |
| Mother | Mahavati |
| Religion | Shaivism, Buddhism |
Rani Pushpavati or Maharani Pushpavati shortly known as Harshavardhanapatni (wife of Emperor Harshavardhana) or simply Pushpavati or Harshavardhanpriya was the wife of Emperor Harshavardhana who had no children at all but only one wife. He was the son of King Prabhakaravardhana and his wife, Yasomati and the brother of Rajyavardhana and sister, Rajyashri. Some stories say that Emperor Harshavardhana had married two wives but in some legends they mention Pushpavati. She is the daughter of King Pushpavarman. After the death of Harshavardhana, while mourning, she sent her husband's soldiers to kill Pulakeshin II for killing her husband. After the death of Pulakeshin II, Pushpavati died because of Sati, a practice where a woman dies on her husband's pyre. Her story is tragically sad but Pushpavati was a brave queen who sent her husband's soldiers to kill Pulakeshin II. She is compared to the Mahabharata character, Bhanumati, to describe their beautiful complexion. [1]
Teachings
She was taught how to fight by her husband, Emperor Harsha. She was indeed a truthful and loyal wife to him. She had never argued or had conflicts with Harsha. In the Harshacharita of Banabhatta, her kingdom is mentioned in the story as the Varman dynasty of Kanauj. Harshacharita also mentions the marriage of Harshavardhana. Later, Pushpavati bore two sons to Harshavardhana. Both of their sons were killed by her husband, Harsha’s minister, Arunāsva.
Shashanka's capture
King Shashanka of Gauda Kingdom captured Queen Pushpavati of Kanauj. The messengers gave this message to Harshavardhana. Meanwhile, Shashanka tied her to a pillar for refusing to marry him, and when he tried to seduce her, Harshavardhana killed him and saved Pushpavati, his most beloved queen.
Her bravery is compared with Rani Lakshmibai and Rani Durgavati. Because of Pushpavati's bravery, everyone came to know that Harsha being a Kshatriya king, his wife was a Kshatrani. After the death of Harshavardhana, she mourned for him and was then called the "Rajmata" of Vardhana dynasty.
She also died of Sati, but Vagyavardhana stopped her, as depicted in Banabhatta’s Harshacharita. He promised his mother, Pushpavati, to kill whoever defeated his father. Later, he was also killed by Arunāsva and his brother, Kalyanvardhana.
References
See also
- Adityavardhana
- Pushyabhuti dynasty
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