The Legend of the Bent Maidens and King Harsha

In the 7th century, the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang arrived at the flourishing city of Kanyakubja (modern Kannauj), situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Kali rivers. This city, known in Chinese records as “Qu Nu Cheng” (City of Bent Maidens), was then ruled by the legendary King Harsha, one of India’s most celebrated monarchs. The peculiar name of the city stems from a fascinating myth that Xuanzang meticulously recorded.

According to local lore, an ancient king once had a thousand brave sons and a hundred beautiful daughters. Nearby, an ascetic known as the “Great Tree Sage” meditated for so long that his body resembled gnarled wood. One day, upon seeing the princesses bathing, the sage was overcome with desire and demanded one as his bride, promising prosperity in return. When none volunteered except the youngest—still a child by Indian beauty standards—the enraged sage cursed the remaining ninety-nine daughters to become permanently hunched, thus naming the city.

King Harsha’s Golden Age

Xuanzang’s account of King Harsha’s reign (606–647 CE) remains a vital historical source for this period. Harsha unified northern India through military campaigns and fostered a thirty-year peace marked by cultural and religious patronage. A devout Buddhist, he banned meat consumption, funded monasteries, and hosted grand theological debates. His court welcomed Chinese envoys, forging early diplomatic ties between India and Tang China. Xuanzang’s detailed descriptions of Harsha’s governance—including his daily dedication to charity and the arts—paint a portrait of an ideal ruler.

The Peril on the Ganges

After three months in Kanyakubja, Xuanzang embarked on a fateful journey down the Ganges with eighty companions. Near Ayodhya, their boat was ambushed by pirates devoted to the goddess Durgā (also called “Difficult-to-Approach Mother”). Unlike ordinary bandits, these followers of the Tantric left-hand path practiced human sacrifice to honor their fierce deity.

The pirates, desperate for a “perfect victim” for their autumn ritual, singled out Xuanzang. His fair complexion and dignified bearing made him their ideal offering. Despite his calm protests—arguing that killing an unfulfilled pilgrim would bring bad luck—the ritual proceeded. As they dragged him to an altar by the river, Xuanzang meditated on Maitreya, the future Buddha, preparing for death.

Cultural Clashes and Divine Intervention

The episode highlights stark cultural contrasts:

– Tantric Practices: The pirates’ worship of Durgā reflected the esoteric left-hand Tantra traditions, which included transgressive rites like ritual sex and, historically, human sacrifice. Xuanzang’s encounter underscores the diversity of Indian spirituality beyond mainstream Buddhism.
– Xuanzang’s Diplomacy: Even facing death, Xuanzang avoided condemning the pirates’ faith. His tactical humility—acknowledging their beliefs while pleading his unfinished mission—reveals his skill as a cultural mediator.

Miraculously, as the pirates raised their blades, a storm erupted. Taking it as divine wrath, they freed Xuanzang, who later attributed his survival to Maitreya’s compassion.

Legacy of a Near-Sacrifice

This event, vividly recounted in Xuanzang’s Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, offers more than adventure:

– Historical Insight: It documents the prevalence of Tantric sects and the risks travelers faced in ancient India.
– Interfaith Dialogue: Xuanzang’s respect for his captors’ beliefs, even under duress, models cross-cultural engagement.
– Modern Resonance: The story challenges stereotypes of “barbaric” practices by contextualizing them within complex religious frameworks.

Today, Xuanzang’s brush with sacrifice remains a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of cultural exchange—one that continues to inspire scholars and pilgrims alike.