Raja Bhoja is remembered much more than any of his
contemporaries and is often compared with the illustrious VikramAditya of
the golden Gupta era. His name is a household among the tribals. This is so
because the Indians have always remembered philosophers, poets and scholars
much more than kings merely decorated with military success. A King who did
good to the people was much more embedded in the collective memory of
Indians than a king who conquered vast territories. Raja Bhoja definitely
stood out in this regard as one of historical India's most remarkable
intellectuals with an astonishing variety of interests and oceanic
knowledge. (Wikipedia) His efforts worked, and even the humble weavers in his kingdom
composed great Sanskrit poetries. Such was the love for him in the masses
that a poetry from his lifetime reads:
“Adya Dhara, Sada Dhara, Sada Lamba Saraswati, Panditah
Manditah Sarve Bhoj Raje Bhuvamgate!”
(The immortal flow of knowledge and the Mother Godess
Saraswati are all exalted, all scholars are honoured as the great King Bhoj
is on earth). After his death, the same poets said:
“Adya Dhara, Nira Dhara, Nira Lamba Saraswati, Panditah
Khanditah Sarve Bhoj Raje Divangate!”
(The immortal flow of knowledge has dried and the
Mother Godess Saraswati is not proped, all scholars are stranded as the
great King Bhoj has proceeded to heaven).
