Part 2.5 - Biography of Bhima (A.D.1023-1065)

[Full title: History of Chaulukyas (5) Bhima (V.S.1088-1122] (A.D.1023-1065)]

According to Hemacandra, the childless Durlabha was very fond of his nephew Bhima, son of Nagaraja. When Bhima came of age Durlabha crowned him king inspite of his protests. Nagaraja also retired from all public activities at the same time and the two brothers died soon after. 76 These incidents probably happened at the beginning of A.D.1024.77 Bhima played an important role in the downfall of Paramara Bhoja of Malava, which for a time left the Paramara's totally powerless. The defeat of the great Paramara monarch was naturally considered the high watermark of Bhima's glory, and almost all the Chroniclers, with the surprising exception of Hemachandra, have recorded this victory in suitable verses. The Vadanagara-Prasasti states: "Illustrious King Bhima, who, though terrible to his foes, ever granted enjoyment to his friends, as ruler, carried this load of the earth. What wonder was there that his horses supremely skilled in accomplishing the five faces (called dhara) quickly gained Dhara the capital of Malava. 78 The chaplain Somesvara states that, just as on the rising of the moon the lotus withers, so did Bhoja wither away by (the power) of Bhima. "He (Bhima) who has conquered the lord of Dhara with a two bladed sword, what wonder is there, that he (Bhima) should conquer hundred of swordsmen. By whose (Bhima's ) strong bow, though it reached his neck, Bhoja, when fleeing, has hurled from his horse, as if supposing that he was virtuous. The Vastupala-Tejapata Prasasti, states that it was proper that upon this at- "79

1 44 tack the Goddess of wealth left Bhoja's heart, the Goddess of learning his mouth, and the sword his hands.80 Arisimha and Balacandra Suri, describe in a matter of fact manner how Bhima defeated Bhoja.81 But Jayasimha Suri writes: "At the setting in of the frost of his greatness the arm of Bhoja faded away. like the lotus very properly.' 982 Udayamati was the name of Bhima's queen; but according to Merutunga he was excessively fond of a beautiful courtesan named Bakuladevi whom he took into his Antahpura.83 Both Hemacandra and Merutunga say that Bhima had three sons, But whereas they agree that the name of the eldest was Mularaja, and that another was Karna, the other son is called 'Ksemaraja' by Hemacandra and 'Haripala' by Merutunga, 84 According to Hemacandra, Mularaja died during the lifetime of his father who thereupon offered the throne to Ksemaraja, Ksemaraja refused the crown, and he and Bhima induced Karna to accept it.85 As instances of such voluntary abnegations extremely rare, it may not be a presumptuous reflection on the great monk's veracity to assume that he was glossing over the unsavoury genealogy of his royal disciple as befitted a courtier. For, Merutunga relates that Haripala (who is undoubtedly the Kshemaraja of Hemacandra) was a natural son of Bhima by Bakuladevi.86 Great as the political importance of Bhima's reign was, its significance in the history of Indian architecture was no less. It was during his reign that one of the finest temples extant was built, the Dilwara temple at Abu. The :

45 two other important temples constructed during his reign are now in ruins, having been broken by later Muslim hordes. It is interesting therefore to find that the earliest known mosque build in India was erected during his reign and within his territory in A.D.1035 at Ahmedabad. 87 Queen Udayamati was also a famous builder. Merutunga says that she excavated at the capital a new reservoir which was much better than the Sahasralinga lake. Popular legend credits her with digging the 'Rani ki Vav', a well at Anahilapataka, which is in ruins to-day but its exquisite carvings still excite admiration. 88 Bhima is described by Krishnaji as dark, stout, tall, and hairy, but handsome, haughty, fond of war, and not afraid of the Mlecchas. Bhima's reign probably came to an end some time in V.S.1122 (A.D.1065)89