The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c14.56

v1.c14.56

According to Bendall, the verse means that, while Bhojadeva apparently governed one half of the kingdom, the other two princes ruled simultaneously as co-regents of the remaining half.¹ He finds a parallel in a non-Buddhistic MS. dated A.D. 1400, the metrical colophon of which describes 'a triple sovereignty' of Jyotir-malla and his elder and younger brothers.² But Lévi has, following the interpretation of the word *ālabdha* by Śrīdharasvāmin in his commentary on the *Bhāgavata Purāṇa*, offered another explanation of the verse. The word *ālabdha*, which characterises the connection of Bhojadeva with Rudradeva, indicates in his opinion that the former succeeded the latter 'not as a natural heir but in virtue of a meritorious choice.' The word *ardharājya* used in connection with Lakṣmīkāma, in his opinion, 'finds its exact parallel in the *Mālavikāgnimitram*, where a prince is being installed in *addharajje*. The term, therefore, applies exactly to the two members of the *dvirājyaka* or *dvairājya*.'³ Bhojadeva, who occupied the throne in about 1015 A.D., appears to have been a contemporary of the Paramāra ruler of Mālava of the same name (*c.* 1010-55 A.D.). An undated Cambridge MS. (Add. 2191) was copied when Bhoja was ruling alone. It is not unlikely that Bhoja had for some time at least ruled alone before he became associated with Lakṣmīkāma. The latter in his turn appears as sole king in a palm-leaf MS. of the *Saddharma-Puṇḍarīka*, which is dated in the year 159 (= A.D. 1039).⁴ From the similarity of names Lévi is disposed to agree with the tradition which mentions Lakṣmīkāma as a grandson of Guṇakāma. This prince is credited with the construction of the monastery known as Lakṣmī-varma-vihāra.⁵