History of Chandela; Part 1: Origin of Chandelas

Origin:

The Chandelas were a branch of the lunar sect of the Rajputs. They are included in the list of 36 Rajput clans mentioned in the Varna Ratnaakara as well as in Prithviraj Raso and Kumarapalcharita. But the earliest record of the dynasty so far recovered, traces its origin as follows: “from the Creator of the Universe, that ancient being (Visvasrk Puranapurusa), the sage who is the abode of sacred knowledge, sprang those early sages of the holy conduct, Marichi and the rest. Atri, one of them, begat the sage Chandratreya, who by his ceaseless austerities acquired fierce, might, (and) who was a flame of unfeigned intensity radiant knowledge. Family proceeding from him (the Chandratreya vamsa)....... is a fit object of laudation……. Among (the princes of that family) there was the illustrious prince Nannuka…..”

A great legend of Chandelas according to the universal tradition of the country, which supported by all the chroniclers, the Chandelas drive their origin from Hemavati, daughter of Hemraj, the Brahman Purohit of Indrajit, the Gahirwar king of Benaras. - “ Hemavati was very beautiful and one day when she went to bathe in the Rati Talab, she was seen and embraced by Chandrama, the moon god, as he was preparing to return to sky. Hemavati cursed him. ‘Why do you curse me?’ said Chandrama. ‘Your son will be lord of the earth and from him will spring a thousand branches.’ Hemavati enquired-‘How my dishonour shall be effaced when I am without a husband?’ ‘Fear not’ replied Chandrama. ‘Your son will be born on the bank of the Karnavati River; then take him to Khajuraya, offer him as a gift and perform a sacrifice. In Mahoba he will reign and become a great king. He will possess the philosopher’s stone and will turn iron into gold. On the hill of Kalanjir he will build a fort. When your son is 16 years of the age you must perform a Bhanda Jag to wipe your disgrace and then leave Benaras to live at Kalanjir.

According to this prophecy, Hemavati’s child like another Chandram, was born on Monday, the 11^th of the waxing moon of Baisakh, on the bank of the Karnavati, the modern Ken River. Then Chandrama attended by all gods, performed a great festival, when Brihaspati wrote his horoscope, and the child was named Chandra Varmma. At 16 years of the age he killed a tiger, when Chandrama appeared again him and presented him with the philosopher’s stone, and taught him polity (Rajniti). Then he built fort of Kalanjir, after which he went to Khajurpur, where he performed a sacrifice to do away his mother’s shame, and built 85 temples. Then chandravati Rani and all other queens sat at the feet of Hemavati, and her disgrace was wiped away. Lastly he went to Mahotsava-nagara or Mahoba, the place of Chandrama’s great festival, which he made his capital.