Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is a long narrative poem that tells the story of the legendary King Vikramāditya, who is known for his wisdom, courage, and generosity. The poem briefly introduces King Vikramāditya, who is described as a fair and virtuous ruler. The narrative then shifts to the court of King Bhoja, who challenges Vikramāditya to solve a series of riddles. Each riddle is accompanied by a story, which Vikramāditya must unravel to answer the riddle.
As Vikramāditya solves each riddle, he is rewarded with valuable gifts and is praised by the people of Bhoja's court. However, his ultimate goal is not to win the gifts but to prove his intellectual prowess and establish his reputation as a wise and learned king. The poem also vividly describes battles and warfare as Vikramāditya engages in military campaigns against rival kingdoms. These battles are depicted as struggles between good and evil, with Vikramāditya emerging as a hero who defeats his enemies and restores peace and justice to his kingdom.
Throughout the poem, Bilhana uses rich and intricate language to evoke the beauty and complexity of medieval India. The poem also contains many philosophical and moral reflections on the nature of kingship, wisdom, and human destiny.
Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is a long narrative poem that is divided into nine cantos, or chapters, each of which is further divided into numerous sections or verses. Here is a brief overview of the contents of the work:
Canto 1: The poem begins with an invocation to the Hindu god Ganeśa, followed by a description of the story's setting. King Vikramāditya is introduced, and the challenge posed by King Bhoja is presented.
Canto 2: The first riddle and its accompanying story are presented. Vikramāditya solves the riddle and is awarded a valuable gift.
Canto 3: The second riddle and story are presented. Vikramāditya again solves the riddle and is rewarded.
Canto 4: The third riddle and story are presented, and Vikramāditya again triumphs.
Canto 5: The fourth riddle and story are presented. Vikramāditya again solves the riddle and is rewarded, but he begins to suspect that Bhoja is not entirely sincere in his admiration.
Canto 6: The fifth riddle and story are presented. Vikramāditya solves the riddle but refuses the gift, instead asking for a larger reward that he donates to a temple.
Canto 7: The sixth riddle and story are presented. Vikramāditya solves the riddle and receives the reward, but Bhoja's admiration for him is tempered by jealousy.
Canto 8: The seventh riddle and story are presented. Vikramāditya again solves the riddle, but Bhoja attempts to undermine his victory by offering another gift to a different sage.
Canto 9: The final riddle and story are presented. Vikramāditya solves the riddle and is declared the ultimate winner. The poem concludes with reflections on the nature of wisdom and kingship.
Throughout the poem, there are numerous descriptions of battles and warfare as Vikramāditya engages in military campaigns against rival kingdoms. These battles are depicted as struggles between good and evil, with Vikramāditya emerging as a hero who defeats his enemies and restores peace and justice to his kingdom. The poem also contains many philosophical and moral reflections on the nature of kingship, wisdom, and human destiny.
Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is a unique work in many respects. Firstly, it is a long narrative poem written in Sanskrit, a classical language of ancient India that was used primarily for religious and philosophical texts. While many Sanskrit poets wrote epic poetry, Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is distinct in its focus on intellectual prowess and riddles rather than battles and heroic feats.
Secondly, the poem is notable for its intricate use of language and poetic devices. Bilhana employs a variety of poetic forms, including similes, metaphors, alliteration, and repetition, to create a rich and layered narrative. He also uses Sanskrit's complex grammar and syntax to construct elaborate and highly structured verses.
Thirdly, the poem is significant for portraying medieval Indian society and culture. It offers insights into the politics, religion, and social customs of the time and provides a vivid picture of the intellectual and artistic achievements of the period.
Finally, the poem's central theme of intellectual prowess and wisdom is highly relevant today. It reflects the importance of knowledge and learning in Indian society and emphasizes the value of using one's intelligence for the greater good. These themes continue to resonate with contemporary readers, making Vikramāṇkadevacaritam a timeless work of literature.
Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is considered a significant contribution to Sanskrit literature for several reasons:
The poem showcases a high degree of poetic skill and linguistic creativity. It employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphors, similes, alliteration, and repetition, and demonstrates a mastery of Sanskrit's complex grammar and syntax.
It is one of the earliest examples of the kāvya genre of literature in Sanskrit. Kavya is a form of classical poetry that emerged in ancient India, characterized by its ornate language, elaborate descriptions, and sophisticated themes. Vikramāṇkadevacaritam helped establish the kāvya tradition and set the standard for subsequent works in the genre.
The poem provides insights into medieval Indian society and culture, including its politics, religion, and social customs. It offers a vivid depiction of the intellectual and artistic achievements of the time. It provides a window into the beliefs and values of the people who lived during this period.
Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is notable for its focus on intellectual prowess and riddles, rather than on battles and heroic feats. This thematic emphasis reflects the importance of knowledge and learning in Indian society and reinforces that wisdom and intelligence are essential qualities for rulers and leaders.
Vikramāṇkadevacaritam consists of 50 verses and is divided into five chapters. Each chapter is named after a different poetic meter. The work is a eulogy to King Vikramāditya VI of the Western Chālukya dynasty, who ruled from 1076 to 1126 AD. Bilhaṇa was a court poet in his court.
Vikramāṇkadevacaritam is considered a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature and is highly regarded for its poetic excellence and the depth of its philosophical and moral insights. The work has been translated into several Indian and European languages, including English, French, and German. Some scholars have suggested that Vikramāṇkadevacaritam inspired the famous Sanskrit epic, the Śiva Purāṇa, written several centuries later.
1. साहित्यपाथे निधिमन्थनोत्थं कर्णामृतं रक्षत हे कवीन्द्राः । यत्तस्य दैत्या इव लुण्ठनाय काव्यार्थचोराः प्रगुणीभवन्ति ॥ [विक्रमाङ्कदेवचरितम् ] sāhityapāthe nidhimanthanotthaṃ karṇāmṛtaṃ rakṣata he kavīndrāḥ । yattasya daityā iva luṇṭhanāya kāvyārthacorāḥ praguṇībhavanti ॥ [vikramāṅkadevacaritam]
O great poets, protect the nectar figure of the ears that arises from the churning of treasures on the path of literature as people become like demons to plunder it.
2. गृह्णन्तु सर्वे यदि वा यथेच्छं नास्ति क्षतिः कापि कवीश्वराणाम् । रत्नेषु लुप्तेषु बहुष्वमर्तैः अद्यापि रत्नाकर एव सिन्धुः ॥ [विक्रमाङ्कदेवचरितम् ]
gṛhṇantu sarve yadi vā yathecchaṃ nāsti kṣatiḥ kāpi kavīśvarāṇām । ratneṣu lupteṣu bahuṣvamartaiḥ adyāpi ratnākara eva sindhuḥ ॥ [vikramāṅkadevacaritam ]
Let all plagiarize it or whatever they wish, here is no defamation or loss to the poets. Although many precious gems have been stolen from the sea, the sea is still a jewel mine.