Yashodhara also called as Yasodhara is the spouse of Prince Siddhartha (till he left his abode in pursuit of spiritual liberation without her knowledge). She was born in Devdaha. Her parents are Amita (mother – who is sister of the father of Buddha, King Suddhodana) and Dandapani (father). Later on she became a Bhikkhuni and is described as an Arahata. Yashodhara in Sanskrit means ‘Bearer of Glory’ or ‘to bear or to support’
She and Prince Siddhartha (Buddha) were born in the same month ‘Vaishaka’. The Koliya chief was her grandfather. The Koliya and Shakya were branches of the Ikshvaku or Adicca Dynasty in which people married amongst themselves in these two royal families.
At the age of 29, Yashodhara married Prince. Later on she gave birth to Rahula, her only son. After Siddhartha left the palace she began living a simple life, even rejected proposals for her but she closely followed news about her husband. When Buddha returned after enlightenment she sent her son to him to seek inheritance. She had the faith that Buddha would come to meet her. Buddha did come to meet her and truly admired her for her sacrifice and patience. Later on Rahula started working towards becoming a monk. Yashodhara too made a decision to enter the Order of Monks and Nuns. After she achieved the state of Arahat in no time, she (was along with 500 women who followed Mahapajapati Gotami), was ordained as Bhikkhuni. The Bhikkhuni order was first established by Mahapajapati Gotami.
