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