Bhojaprabandha p31

p31

Who was Bhoja? Who was Ballāla? When was it? Where was it? These are not the primary questions; primary is that adoration of poetry and of those who know the inner heart of poetry. Praise is due to that Bhoja in whose royal assembly the connoisseurs and creators of poetry—Kālidāsa, Bāṇa, Bhavabhūti, and others—were present together, and worthy of gratitude is that anthologist Ballālasena who wove those commendable moments into a story. Even if the coarse truth of history might not be in it, the moments of truth that give a heartbeat to life are certainly there. Without doubt, this is an appealing, diverting work. *Bhojaprabandha* is a sublime ideal for the passing of time by wise minds. According to Monier-Williams, Bhoja is not only 'a king endowed with extraordinary qualities' (*a king with uncommon qualities*); he is also the relishing of aesthetic flavor that is 'bestowing enjoyment' (*bestowing enjoyment*).