Prakash Kafle / Kathmandu: The murder of Bhim Malla and the curse given by his wife is one of the most tragic and heartbreaking chapters in Nepal’s history. About 400 years ago, during the reign of King Pratap Malla, Bhim Malla, a Kaji (minister) of Kathmandu, was known as a skilled administrator and diplomat. He set out for Tibet with a great vision of Nepal’s economic prosperity. At that time, trading with Tibet was very challenging, but through his intelligence, he managed to impress the Tibetan rulers and successfully established 22 trade centers. Due to the historic agreement he made, Nepali traders gained easier access to bring gold coins and wealth from Tibet.
When he returned to Kathmandu with a large amount of gold and gifts loaded on mules, he should have been honored as the “Kubera” (god of wealth) of the country. However, this unbelievable success became the cause of his downfall.
Jealous courtiers in the palace could not tolerate Bhim Malla’s popularity and began to poison the ears of King Pratap Malla. They misled the king by falsely accusing Bhim Malla of not only bringing gold from Tibet but also gathering military strength, with the hidden intention of overthrowing the king and seizing power himself. King Pratap Malla, who was fond of arts but had a suspicious nature, failed to understand the truth and devised a cruel plan to eliminate his most successful minister.
Completely loyal to his king, Bhim Malla entered the palace to offer gifts of victory and pay his respects, unaware that executioners were waiting with swords and khukuris to kill him. As soon as he stepped inside the palace gates, he was brutally attacked. It is said that his loyalty was so strong that even after his head was severed and fell to the ground, his body remained standing for a few moments.
This horrific scene shocked the entire palace and city. Upon hearing the news of her innocent husband’s brutal murder, his wife rushed to the palace in grief. According to the social customs of that time, she was expected to commit self-immolation (sati). Before entering the funeral pyre, however, she expressed her sorrow and anger through a terrifying curse. She said, “May no one who works for the good of this country ever prosper.”
It is believed that this curse is the reason behind the popular saying in Nepali society, “a country cursed by a sati,” reflecting the tragic belief that those who work honestly for the nation often face betrayal or suffering. Later, when Bhim Malla was proven innocent, King Pratap Malla felt deep remorse and performed various religious rituals and prayers to atone for his sin.
सतीले सरापेको देश: भीम मल्लको हत्या र ४०० वर्ष पुरानो त्यो भयानक श्राप
