The Legend of King Raja Bhoj and His Faithful Horse, Baaghinda

King Raja Bhoj was a just and fair ruler who ruled over the kingdom of Dhar in ancient India. He was known for his intelligence, bravery, and love for animals. His most trusted companion was his horse, Baaghinda, who accompanied him on all his expeditions. This is the story of the bond between the king and his horse, and how they saved the kingdom from a terrible disaster.

Statue of Raja Bhoj in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | Source: siddharthvikram

According to the prevelant folklores, it is believed that, King Raja Bhoj was the ruler of the kingdom of Dhar, which was located in present-day Madhya Pradesh in India. He was a just and fair king who was loved by his people. He was known for his intelligence, bravery, and love for animals. He had many horses, but his most trusted companion was a horse named Baaghinda. Baaghinda was a beautiful white horse with a black mane and tail. He was strong, fast, and intelligent. He had been trained by the king himself, and was the only horse that the king rode. Baaghinda was not just a horse, but a friend and companion to the king. They shared a special bond that was evident to everyone in the kingdom.

The folklore goes that one day, King Raja Bhoj was traveling through his kingdom on horseback when he came across a hermit who was meditating in a remote forest. The hermit was deeply moved by Raja Bhoj's devotion to his people and his willingness to serve them, and he decided to give the king a gift in recognition of his virtues. The hermit offered to give Raja Bhoj his own horse, which he said was the most loyal and faithful animal in the kingdom.

Raja Bhoj was initially hesitant to accept the horse, fearing that it might not be as great as the hermit claimed. But the hermit assured him that the horse was indeed extraordinary and would serve him well. Raja Bhoj then accepted the gift and took the horse with him back to his palace.

The horse quickly became the king's favorite animal and was treated with the utmost care and respect. Raja Bhoj would often ride the horse through his kingdom, and the people would come out to see him and the magnificent animal. The horse was always calm and gentle, never spooking or misbehaving, and it became a symbol of Raja Bhoj's power and wisdom.

One day, while Raja Bhoj was out hunting with the horse, they came across a group of bandits who were terrorizing a nearby village. Raja Bhoj ordered the bandits to stop their activities, but they refused and attacked him and his horse. In the ensuing battle, the horse was badly injured and was unable to continue fighting. Raja Bhoj was forced to retreat and was devastated by the loss of his loyal companion.

Raja Bhoj then decided to take the horse to the hermit who had given him the gift, hoping that he could heal the animal. When they arrived at the hermit's abode, he examined the horse and found that its injuries were too severe to be healed. The hermit then revealed to Raja Bhoj that the horse was not an ordinary animal, but a divine being who had taken the form of a horse to serve him. He also told Raja Bhoj that the horse had fulfilled its destiny by serving him and that it was time for him to release the animal from its earthly form. He performed a ritual and the horse disappeared into the heavens, leaving Raja Bhoj in tears.

Raja Bhoj is remembered as one of the greatest kings of India, known for his wisdom, bravery, and devotion to his people. He was a patron of the arts and literature, and under his rule, the Malwa region of India flourished and became a center of culture and learning. He is also remembered for his meeting with the famous philosopher and saint, Adi Shankaracharya, which is another legendary story associated with him. The story teaches us that true loyalty is not just about being there for someone when they are strong and powerful, but also about being there for them when they are weak and vulnerable. It is also a reminder of the importance of valuing and caring for the beings around us, whether they are humans or animals, and of the power of selflessness and sacrifice.

Raja Bhoj's legacy lives on today, with many people still inspired by his story and the values that he embodied. His patronage of the arts and culture has left a lasting impact on Indian history and his reputation as a wise and just ruler continues to be celebrated. Overall, the story of Raja Bhoj and his faithful horse is a testament to the power of storytelling and the way in which myths and legends can shape our understanding of the world around us. It is a story that has been passed down through the ages and will continue to be retold for generations to come.