Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c16.s2.23

c16.s2.23

Nothing in particular is known regarding the three immediate successors of Bhadraka. The ninth king Bhāgavata had a long reign which extended over 32 years. Dr. Bhandarkar identifies him with the *Mahārāja* Bhāgavata mentioned in one of the Besnagar Inscriptions referred to above. Bhāgavata's successor **Devabhūti** or **Devabhūmi** was a young and dissolute prince. The *Purāṇas* state that he was overthrown after a reign of 10 years by his *Amātya* or minister Vasudeva. Bāṇa in his *Harshacharita* says that the over-libidinous Śuṅga was bereft of his life by his *Amātya* Vasudeva with the help of a daughter of Devabhūti's slave woman (*Dāsī*), disguised as his queen. Bāṇa's statement does not necessarily imply that Devabhūti was identical with the murdered Śuṅga. His statement may be construed to mean that Vasudeva entered into a conspiracy with the emissaries of Devabhūti to bring about the downfall of the reigning Śuṅga. (Bhāgavata), and to raise Devabhūti to the throne. But in view of the unanimous testimony of the *Purāṇas* this interpretation of the statement of Bāṇa cannot be upheld.