How to Pronounce Yaśodharā (original Sanskrit)

Meaning and Context

Yaśodharā, in the rich tapestry of Buddhist history and literature, is revered as the principal wife of Prince Siddhartha Gautama before his renunciation and eventual enlightenment as the Buddha. Born a princess of the Koliyan clan, her marriage to Siddhartha is depicted as a union of profound affection, with traditional accounts stating she gave birth to their son, Rāhula. Following Siddhartha's great departure from the palace in search of spiritual truth, Yaśodharā's narrative transforms into one of steadfast devotion and parallel spiritual attainment. She is celebrated not merely as a consort but as a pivotal figure in early Buddhism, embodying themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and ultimate liberation. In many texts, including the later Pali and Sanskrit traditions, she is acknowledged as having achieved arhatship herself, becoming a respected bhikkhunī (Buddhist nun) after entering the monastic order founded by her former husband. Her story is integral to understanding the human and familial dimensions of the Buddha's life, offering a crucial lens on the roles of women in ancient Indian society and their spiritual capacities within Buddhist doctrine, making her a significant subject for studies in Buddhist history, women in Buddhism, and Buddhist art and iconography.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary and most accurate transliteration from the original Sanskrit is Yaśodharā, which includes the diacritical mark "ś" representing the palatal sibilant sound (like "sh" in "shower"). This is often anglicized to Yashodhara or Yasodhara, omitting the diacritical. A common misspelling arises from misplacing or omitting the "a" after the "d," resulting in errors like Yashodhra or Yasodhra. The name is sometimes incorrectly prefixed with "Princess" or "Queen" as part of the spelling itself, or confused with similar Sanskrit names like "Yaśodā" (Krishna's foster mother). In Pali, the language of the Theravada Buddhist canon, her name is rendered as Yasodharā or Rāhulamātā (meaning "mother of Rāhula"), which can lead to further variations. Care should be taken to maintain the correct vowel lengths and consonant sequence to preserve the name's phonetic and cultural integrity.

Example Sentences

According to the Buddhacarita, Yaśodharā was overcome with grief upon waking to find Siddhartha's side of the bed empty after his decision to renounce the world.

The narrative of Yaśodharā entering the monastic life and achieving enlightenment serves as a powerful testament to the spiritual path being open to all, regardless of gender.

In many traditional depictions, Yaśodharā is shown presenting their son, Rāhula, to the Buddha upon his return to Kapilavastu.

Scholars often analyze the figure of Yaśodharā to explore the intersection of familial duty and spiritual calling in early Buddhist literature.

The Therīgāthā, a collection of verses by elder nuns, includes poetic attributions that are traditionally linked to Yaśodharā's own experience of liberation.

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