The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s3.t40.3

c6.s3.t40.3

The traditional story of the foundation of Mahoba was originally given by the bard Chand, and has been copied by the local annalists.∗ According to the legend, the Chândels are sprung from Hemâvati, daughter of Hem-râj, the Brahman Purohit of Indrajit, Gâhirwar Raja of Banâras. Hemâvati was very beautiful, and one day when she went to bathe in the Râti Tâlâb, she was seen and embraced by Chandramâ, the god of the moon, as he was preparing to return to the skies. Hemâvati cursed him. "Why do you curse me?" said Chandramâ, "your son will be Lord of the Earth, and from him will spring a thousand branches." Hemâvati inquired, "How shall my dishonour be effaced, when I am without a husband?" "Fear not," replied Chandramâ, "your son will be born on the bank of the Karnavati river: then take him to Khajurâya, and offer him as a gift, and perform a sacrifice. In Mahoba he will reign, and will become a great king. He will possess the philosopher's stone, and will turn iron into gold. On the hill of Kâlinjar he will build a fort; when your son is 16 years of age, you must perform a Bhánda Jag to wipe away your disgrace, and then leave Banâras to live at Kâlinjar."