हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

to him for protection from the minister's tyranny. But Ham-
mîra paid no attention to the representations of Bhoja,
telling him that as Dharmasingh was entrusted with full
powers, and could do whatever he thought proper, it was
necessary others should obey his orders. Bhoja, when he saw
that the king's mind was turned from him, submitted to his
property being confiscated and brought into the king's coffers
as ordered by Dharmasingh. As in duty bound, however,
he still followed his chief wherever he went. One day the king
went to pay his devotions at the temple of Vaijanâth, and
seeing Bhoja in his train, scornfully remarked to a courtier
who stood by, that the earth was full of vile beings; but the
vilest creature on earth was the crow, who, though deprived of his
last feather by the angry owl, still clung to his habitation on the
old tree. Bhoja understood the intent of the remark, and that
it was levelled at him. Deeply mortified, he returned home and
communicated his disgrace to his younger brother Pîtama
The two brothers now resolved to leave the country, and the
next day Bhoja went to Hammîra and humbly prayed to
be allowed leave to undertake a pilgrimage to Banâras. The
king granted his request, adding that he might go to Banâras or
further if he chose,—that there was no danger of the town being
deserted on his account. To this insolent speech Bhoja made
no reply. He bowed and withdrew, and soon after started for
Banâras. The king was delighted at Bhoja Deva's departure
and he conferred the Kotwâlship vacated by him on Ratipâla
When Bhoja reached Shirśa, he reflected on the sad turn
his affairs had taken, and resolved that the wanton insults heaped
upon him should not go unavenged. In this mind, with his
brother Pîtama, he went to Yoginîpura, and there waited
upon 'Alâu'ddîn. The Muhammadan chief was much pleased
with Bhoja's arrival at his court. He treated him with dis-
tinguished honour, and bestowed upon him the town and