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Raajaa Vikramaaditya-3

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Raajaa Vikramaaditya-3

Vikramaaditya's Rule
Maurya Dynasty ruled for 318 years. The last ruler of Maurya Dynasty Raajpaal - reigned for 25 years. His country was invaded by Shakaaditya - a king from the highlands of Kumaaoon. Vikramaaditya on the 14th year of his reign, attacked and destroyed Shakaaditya and ascended the throne of Delhi. His capital was Avantee (or Ujjayinee or modern Ujjain). It was 13 Kos (26 miles) long and 18 miles wide - an area of 468 sq miles. He got the title of Shakaari (Shak + Ari = foe of Shak) because of his  victories over that race.

In the Kali Yug (or Iron Age), he stands highest amongst the Hindu kings as the patron of learning. Nine people, under his patronage, popularly known as "Nine Gems of Science", hold the honorable position of the Seven Wise Men of Greece. these learned people wrote works in the 18 original dialects from which, say the Hindu, all the languages of the Earth have been derived.

(1) Dhanvantari enlightened the world upon the subjects of medicine incantations
(2) Kshapanak treated the primary elements
(3) Amar Singh compiled a Sanskrit dictionary and a philosophical treatise
(4) Shanku-betaal Bhatt composed comments.
(5) Ghatakarpar - a poetical work of no great merit
(6) The Books of Mihir are not mentioned.
(7) Varaah produced two works on astrology and one on Arithmetic
(8) Vararuchi introduced certain improvements in grammar, commented upon the incantations and wrote a poem in praise of King Maadhav.
(9 But the most celebrated of all patronized ones was Kaalidaas. His two dramas - "Abhigyaan Shaakuntalam" and "Vikram and Urvashee" (see the list of his all works here) have descended to this day. Besides which he produced a poem on the seasons, a work on astronomy, a poetical history of the gods and many other books.

Vikramaaditya set the Samvat (year) era dating from 56 AD. He dies in war with Shaalivaahan, King of Pratishthaan Pur. This king also left behind him an era called "Shak" (Shak Samvat), beginning with 78 AD. It is employed even now by the Hindu in recording their births, marriages and other similar occasions.

Vikramaaditya and Foreigners
Vikramaaditya had helped Mitra Datta of Persia to defeat Julius Caesar in Sela (Xela) of Syria. For this help, a statue of Vikramaaditya was erected in Shamee of Persia. This defeat is hushed up as 6 months missing period of Caesar in Egypt. However, it led to Caesar's murder by Brutus. Jyotirvid Aabharan of Kaali Daas clearly indicates that Caesar was brought as prisoner to Ujjayinee and paraded in procession.

After Vikramaaditya
King Vikramaaditya was succeeded by his infant son Vikramsen and the father and the son combined ruled over a period of 93 years. At last Vikramsen was succeeded by a devotee named Samudrapaal who entered his body by some miraculous means. He reigned for 24 years and 2 months and the throne of Delhi continued in the hands of his 16 successors who reigned for 641 years and 3 months. Vikrampaal, the last one was slain in little by Tilak Chandra of Vaharannah.

Vikram and the Vampire - Introduction
Sage Bhavabhooti has written these tales. He tells in these stories as how Vikram became the king of Ujjain. Some 19 centuries ago a prince was born in Ujjayinee - named Vikramaaditya, or Vikram or Vik. He was the second son of an old king named Gandharvsen. Gandharvsen had married 4 queens and had 6 sons from them, each of whom was more learned and powerful than the other.

Once the old king called his two grandsons - Bhartrihari and Vikram and counseled them for their good future. They were told to master everything - grammar, the scriptures and all religious sciences, the litany tactics, international law, magic, horse riding, all kinds of games, to separate the different sides and questions to distinguish between innocent and quality perfect justice.

The two brothers often talked on the duties of kings, when Vikram gave the great Bhartrihari the valuable advice - "As Indra, during the four rainy months, tills the Earth with water, so a king should replenish his treasury with money. As Soorya, in warming the Earth for 8 months, does not scorch, so a king in drawing revenues from people ought not to oppress them. As Vaayu, the wind, surrounds and fills everything, so the king by his officers and spies should become acquainted with the affairs and circumstances of his all the people. As you judge men without partiality or prejudice and punish the guilty one, so should a king chastise, without favor, all offenders. As Varun, the Regent of Water, binds with his Paash (Divine Noose) his enemies, in the same way a king should also bind every malefactor safely in prison. As Chandra, the Moon, by his cheering light gives pleasure to all, thus should a king, by gifts and generosity make his people always happy. And as Prithvi, the Earth, sustaining all alike so should a king feel an equal affection and forbearance towards everyone."

It so happened that in course of time their father died and his eldest son Shank succeeded the throne and was instantly murdered by Vikramaaditya - the hero of these stories. Thus he got the title of "Veer" (brave), because of this heroic act. He began to rule well. His borders extended and at length he became the ruler of India.

From here go to  Vikram and Vaitaal and read about him in detail

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
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Updated on 01/25/13