Jain Legend Vol 4

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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Maham da gained a lot of wealth, a troop of elephants and military equipment
In Vikram 1075, Maham da Gajanav invaded Kannauja and subjugated King R jyap la, thereby accumulating a great fortune. Later, he attacked the Mah vana region on the banks of river Yamun . Its ruler Kulacandra was prepared to fight against Maham da; but realising that his army was inadequate compared to that of Maham da's, he killed his family and before facing the war he killed himself to avoid the disgrace of defeat. The plunder from Mah vana to Maham da was 80 elephants and a great deal of wealth.
After Mah vana, Maham da attacked Mathura and after a brief fight Maham da defeated King Haradatta and annexed Mathura to his kingdom. Maham da had destroyed many gold and silver idols with hardly any resistance from anyone. He ransacked the precious stones like rubies, diamonds and other gems embedded in those idols. By melting all the idols of the temples of Mathura, he amassed lot of gold and silver blocks. Then he set off towards Gajanav with the enormous wealth that he accumulated and on the way he razed as many temples as he came across and destroyed the idols.
In Vikram 1082, Maham da Gajanav targeted Soman tha temple for its immeasurable treasure, to ravage the Soman tha idol and to unveil the much-talked mystery about it. Taking the route from Multan and further through the unpopulated desert, he attacked Soman tha. He was accompanied by 30,000 valiant horsemen chosen meticulously. As it is difficult to find food or water in the desert route, he set off towards Soman tha well-equipped with food and water laden on 30,000 camels. He arrived at Soman tha on Thursday a bright fortnight of Pau a month.
According to Firi t, an eminent Persian historian, King Bh madeva-I (Vikram 1079 - 1129) of the vast Gurjara province reached Soman tha with his army to protect the Soman tha temple. On Friday, the second day of his arrival, Maham da attacked the strong fort on the seashore. A fierce battle ensued. The warriors who assembled there for the protection of Soman tha fell upon on the army of Maham da with various arms and ammunition. As a considerable number of their army was getting injured, the soldiers of Maham da placed ladders and climbed the fort. As described by Firi t , King Bh madeva-I, who came from Anahilaw da to
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