07-04-2008, 07:05 AM
Ishwa,
Thanks a lot for your post!
You have mentioned that the shaka invasions were extremely brutal and therefore a shakAri king was likely to be hailed a savior.
India had been subjected to quite an array of new challenges in the preceding centuries. Buddhism and Jainsim shook the traditional hindu society. And Greek/shaka presences and invasions were perhaps a great disturbing influence politically.
During such turbulent times if a king arose, who reestablished the traditional way of things, then that might have been welcomed as a great relief. It is also interesting that you mention that Jainas called Vikrama by the name of kalki. There appears to be a consistent undercurrent of Vikrama as a savior of times who reestablished dharma in a turbulent time. And that singular achievement was etched on the civilizational memory of Indians.
No other emperor/king has inspired such adulation as Vikrama did, since post Mahabharata days. Not even the Maurya Ashoka , who was primarily mentioned in Buddhist works. Even Alexander's invasion doesn't register much in hindu memory as purANas are pretty much silent on Alexander.
Works like Vikrama charita (dvaAtriMshat-puttalikA) and Vetala panchaviMshati etc show how much of hindu heart & mindscape Vikrama occupied.
It appears to me that Vikrama was a crucial link between turbulent times post Buddha and establishment of hindu Gupta empire. His rein perhaps renewed the hope of the hindus for a better future after a dark turbulent time.
P.S. Could you also comment on king bhoja of dhArA-nagarI ?
Thanks a lot for your post!
You have mentioned that the shaka invasions were extremely brutal and therefore a shakAri king was likely to be hailed a savior.
India had been subjected to quite an array of new challenges in the preceding centuries. Buddhism and Jainsim shook the traditional hindu society. And Greek/shaka presences and invasions were perhaps a great disturbing influence politically.
During such turbulent times if a king arose, who reestablished the traditional way of things, then that might have been welcomed as a great relief. It is also interesting that you mention that Jainas called Vikrama by the name of kalki. There appears to be a consistent undercurrent of Vikrama as a savior of times who reestablished dharma in a turbulent time. And that singular achievement was etched on the civilizational memory of Indians.
No other emperor/king has inspired such adulation as Vikrama did, since post Mahabharata days. Not even the Maurya Ashoka , who was primarily mentioned in Buddhist works. Even Alexander's invasion doesn't register much in hindu memory as purANas are pretty much silent on Alexander.
Works like Vikrama charita (dvaAtriMshat-puttalikA) and Vetala panchaviMshati etc show how much of hindu heart & mindscape Vikrama occupied.
It appears to me that Vikrama was a crucial link between turbulent times post Buddha and establishment of hindu Gupta empire. His rein perhaps renewed the hope of the hindus for a better future after a dark turbulent time.
P.S. Could you also comment on king bhoja of dhArA-nagarI ?