________________
THE DYNASTIES OF SAURASTRA
Caulukyas, unlike them, developed that small principality into an empire in which Gujarata reached the climax of its glory.
We have seen in relation to the Gurjara Pratihāras that the land of Gujarat formed a part of the great Pratihara empire at least up to c. 982 A.D. The colophon of the Aradhanakathakośa referred to above clearly supplies us this information.1
Mularaja's Ancestors: The first member of this dynasty unanimously accepted is Mularāja who made the fortune of this clan bright. Several Jain authorities indisputably refer to his father's name as Raji. The Prabandhacintamani records an interesting story relating to Raji and his two brothers, The story runs thus:
"The three brothers by name Raji, Bija, and Dandaka born of the same mother and sons of Muñjaladeva of the family of the king Bhuyaraja previously mentioned (as the ruler of Kalyana-kataka in the country of the Kanyakubja) went on pilgrimage to Somanatha and paid their adorations to Him. On their return they were looking at the king Bhuyaḍadeva, while engaged in the amusement of horse race. When the king gave the horse a stroke with the whip, the Ksatriya named Raji who was dressed as a pilgrim was annoyed with that cut which was given inopportunely. He shook his head, and said, 'Alas, Alas. When the king asked him the reason of his behaviour, he praised the particular pace performed by the horse, and considering it not inappropriate, said 'when you gave the horse a cut with the whip you made my heart bleed.' The story further states that the king. Bhuvaḍa, being pleased, gave his sister's hands to the prince Raji, thinking that he was of high birth. In due course his sister became pregnant and in the last stage she died suddenly. The ministers, thinking that if they did not take some steps the child would die also, performed the cæsarian operation and took the child out of her womb. The child was given the name Mülaraja being born under the nahgatra Mula. This prince by his general popularity due to his beautiful complexion and by his valour extended the sway of his maternal uncle. Under such circumstances, the king Bhaiyada, when intoxicated, used to have him crowned king and used again to depose him when he became sober, from that time forth a Capotakata gift has become a proverbial test. Being disappointed every day in this way, he made ready his followers, he killed Bhuiyada and became king in reality."
1 SJGM., XVII, p. 255.
SJGM., I, pp. 15-16 : मूलराजप्रबन्धः ।
Jain Education International
213
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
