152 ESSAY ON 



This Bahram, or Vicrama'ditya, the Hin(kis 

 claim as their own countryman ; for, in the a|)pendix 

 to the Agni-piirana, he is declared to be Carncmsyay 

 or of the family of 'Sri-Cariia ; which is possible on 

 the maternal side. 



This is the Vicrama'ditya, whose younger brother 

 was called Bhartkihari ; famous foi* his piety and 

 learning ; and who succeeded his father, though 

 the youngest : but being disgusted with the world, 

 on account of the infidelity of his favourite wife, 

 he abdicated the throne of Mdlava, and retired to 

 Benares ; where he ended his days in devout con- 

 templation : though many are of opinion that he 

 is still alive. When he left the throne, his brother 

 was gone to distant countries; and the whole king- 

 dom being thrown into confusion, was soon over- 

 run with demons, the chief of whom had taken 

 possession of the throne ; and it was with the utmost 

 difficulty that Vicrama drove him away, by gentle 

 means, and even conciliated his favour, and there- 

 by obtained a boon from him, to sit upon the throne 

 for 100 years. 



It is the general opinion, that Vicrama'ditya 

 put his brother Suca'ditya, or Bhartrihari, to 

 a most slow and cruel death, by severing his head, 

 with a knife, both small and bad. His putting 

 him to death is mentioned by Holwell, and Mr. 



WiLKINS *. 



Bhartrihari, according to the Hindus in general, 

 withdrew to Chunar near Benares, where he remain- 

 ed some time ; when his brother gave him a purganah, 

 or small district, called to this day Bhartari^ and 



* Asiat. Researches, Vol. 1st. p. 12^;, 



