The ancient name of Ujjain was Avantika. Avantika is a city in the Malwa region. Malwa is a part of the present Madhya Pradesh state. Avantika is counted among the Saptapuris. Shaktipeeth is also established here along with Jyotirlinga. There have been many great kings in this city situated on the banks of holy river Kshipra, Chakravarti Samrat Vikramaditya is one of them. Let’s know interesting things about them.
Family of Samrat Vikramaditya
Vikramaditya’s name was Vikram Sen. Raja Gandharvasen, the son of Nabovahan, was also a Chakravarti emperor. The sons of Gandharvasen were Vikramaditya and Bhartrihari. His father was also called Mahendraditya. He also had other names like Gard Bhill, Gadarbhvesh. Vikram’s mother’s name was Soumyadarshana, who was also known as Veermati and Madanrekha. He had a sister called Mainavati.
He had five wives, Malayavati, Madanalekha, Padmini, Chell and Chillamahadevi.Vikramaditya had two sons Vikramcharit and Vinayapal and two daughters Priyangumanjari (Vidyottama) and Vasundhara. Also he had a nephew named Gopichand. Bhattamatra’s name comes in the main friends. The royal priests were Trivikram and Vasumitra. The ministers were Bhatti and Bahsindhu. The generals were Vikramshakti and Chandra.
Nav Ratna of Samrat Vikramaditya
Navaratna used to live in the court of Vikramaditya. It should be said that he started the tradition of keeping nine gems. Following him, Krishnadevaraya and Akbar also kept Nauratnas. There were also Nauratnas in the court of Emperor Ashoka. The names of the nine gems of Vikramaditya are- 1. Dhanvantari 2. Kshipaka 3. Amarasimha 4. Shanku 5. Vetalbhatta 6. Ghatkarpara 7. Kalidasa 8. Varahmihir 9. Varruchi. Although it is also said that this Navaratna was in the time of Chandragupta Vikramaditya II.
Famous works of Vikramaditya
Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain started Vikram Samvat in his own name in 57 BC. He started this Samvat in the memory of his victory over the Shakas. Vikram Samvat is currently prevalent in India by his name. He has been considered one of the most popular and just kings in history. The detailed description of Maharaja Vikramaditya is found in Bhavishya Purana and Skanda Purana.
The stories named Singhasan Battisi and Vikram Vetal are related to the life of Emperor Vikramaditya. It is said that the goddesses located around the city used to protect the city of Avantika, which is still being done today. Mata Harsiddhi and Mata Baglamukhi had blessed Vikramaditya by giving them a visible darshan. According to belief, the king of Ujjain is Mahakal and a king used to rule under him. After the departure of Samrat Vikramaditya, the only king here is now Mahakal. It is said that only that king who is just like Vikramaditya can stay the night in Avantika region, otherwise death starts hovering over him.
Goddess Harsiddhi gave him Darshan
To protect Avantikapuri, there is a guard of goddesses around, one of them is Harsiddhi Devi. Bhagwati Shri Harsiddhiji’s place is special in the oldest places of Ujjain. The part of Sati’s body, that is, only the elbow of the hand, fell there at the time of being dismembered by Shiva. Harsiddhi Devi is said to have been worshiped by Samrat Vikramaditya. At this place, Vikram did penance for many years. Some ‘heads’ covered with vermilion are kept in a corner behind the temple. These are called ‘Vikramaditya’s head’. Vikram sacrificed his head 11 times with his own hands to please the Goddess, but the head used to come again and again. Heads did not come for the 12th time. Here the rule became complete. This type of worship was performed once in every 12 years.
Baglamukhi gave darshan
It is said that two temples of Maa Bamleshwari are situated in the mountains, 38 km away from the district headquarter of Dongargarh (Chhattisgarh). The first temple is situated on a high hill and the second is situated in the west direction from the entrance of the temple. There are caves around the sanctum sanctorum of the mountain mother Bamleshwari Devi. The people of the region call the mother established in the temple below as Chhoti Bamlai and the mother in the hills as Badi Bamlai. There is an interesting story of the establishment of Maa Bamleshwari Temple.
The Behind story
In ancient times, Dongargarh was known as Kamakhya city, which was earlier ruled by King Veersen. King Virasena had no children. Because of which he worshiped Lord Shiva and Mother Durga. After one year of worship, the queen gave birth to a son who was named Madansen. Being a worshiper of Maa Durga and Lord Shiva, Veerasen built the temple of Maa Bamleshwari here in Kamakhya city. After this Kamsen, the son of King Madansen, ruled here. In the court of Kamsen, there was Kamakandala, a prodigy in dance, and Madhavanal, a supernatural musician and melodious singer. There was immense love between the two.
Under the circumstances, Madhavanal had to leave the city of Kamakhya. Madhavanal reached Ujjain’s king Vikramaditya directly from Kamakhya city and narrated his sad story to him. Hearing the story, King Vikramaditya attacked the city of Kamakhya. A fierce battle took place between Kamsen and Vikramaditya. King Vikramaditya was victorious in the war. The city of Kamakhya was completely destroyed in the war. Only the hill and the temple of Mata remained in the city. After the war, Vikramaditya, to test the love of Madhavanal and Kamakandla, spread the rumor that Madhavanal had attained Veergati in the war.
Vikramaditya’s boon by Bagalamukhi devi
As soon as Kamakandla got this news, she jumped into a pond and sacrificed his life. This pond is still situated at the bottom of the hill near the temple. Madhavanal also ended his life after getting the news of Kamakandla’s death. When King Vikramaditya got this news, he felt deep remorse. He started worshiping Maa Baglamukhi. But the mother did not give darshan. After this, King Vikramaditya also got ready to sacrifice his life. At the same time Maa Baglamukhi appeared to the king. On asking for a boon, the king asked for the life of Kamkandla and Madhavanal and the boon for mother Bagalamukhi to reside in Kamakhya. That’s why Maa Baglamukhi is here in person. It is said that the changed name of Bagalamukhi is Bamleshwari.