Mahendradatta facts for kids

Mahendradatta (born 961 CE, died 1011 CE), also known as Gunapriya Dharmapatni, was a powerful queen in Bali. She was the wife of King Udayana Warmadewa from the Warmadewa dynasty. Mahendradatta was also the mother of Airlangga, who later became a famous king in Java.

She had two other younger sons: Marakata and Anak Wungçu. Both of them became kings of Bali after their father, Udayana, passed away.

Early Life of a Princess

Gunapriyadharmapatni was born in 961 CE in the Watugaluh palace in Eastern Java. She was a Javanese princess from the Isyana Dynasty. Her father was King Sri Makutawangsawarddhana of the Medang Kingdom.

She was also the sister of King Dharmawangsa of Medang. Later, she was arranged to marry King Udayana of Bali. She moved to Bali to become his queen and took the name Mahendradatta.

Queen of Bali

Mahendradatta came from a very powerful royal family in Java. Because of this, many historians believe she was not just a queen by marriage, but a very strong ruler in Bali herself. Her marriage to King Udayana was a political move. It helped connect Bali more closely to the powerful Medang Kingdom in Java.

The Balinese court likely respected and perhaps even feared her because of her strong background.

Airlangga's Story

Mahendradatta had her first son, Airlangga, when she was in her 30s. This was considered quite late for women at that time. Interestingly, Airlangga was not chosen to be the next king of Bali. Instead, his younger brothers, Marakata and Anak Wungçu, took the throne after their father.

Mahendradatta sent Airlangga back to Java when he was a teenager. Some people wonder why this happened, but historical records don't give clear answers.

Queen and Legends

Mahendradatta was known for supporting the worship of the goddess Durga in Bali. Over time, her story became linked with the Balinese legend of Rangda. Rangda is a powerful figure often shown as a "widow" or a fierce witch.

Balinese folklore tells a story where the queen was sent away by the king. She was said to practice powerful magic. Feeling hurt, she sought revenge on the kingdom. She was believed to summon spirits that caused illness in the land. This story might show that her marriage was difficult, or that there were political struggles against her as a powerful queen from Java.

Religious Beliefs

Mahendradatta was a strong follower of the goddess Durga. She is thought to have brought the worship of Durga from Java to Bali. In ancient Javanese and Balinese traditions, Durga is often seen as a fierce goddess.

The worship of Durga was sometimes connected to powerful rituals. This might be why Mahendradatta's image in folklore became linked to Rangda, the powerful figure in Balinese mythology.

After Mahendradatta passed away in 1011 CE, she was honored as a goddess. She was depicted as Durga Mahisashuramardini, a form of Durga who defeats a bull-demon. Her tomb is found in a temple called Pura Bukit Dharma Kutri. This temple is in Buruan village, Blahbatu, Gianyar Regency, Bali. Many old Hindu-Buddhist statues from the 10th to 13th centuries can be found there.