The first page of Hindi Literature starts from seventeenth century, but this page is compacked with the scattered ‘Charyaapadaas’ of Jain and Bauddh-Siddhas , lacking poetical elements. The most developed figure of Hindi Poetics in its elementary stage is accepted from ‘Prithiviraj Raso’ of ‘Chand Bardai’, ‘Beesaldev Raso’ of Narapati Nalh’ and “;Alha-Khand’ of ‘Jagnik’, and these are the greatest achievements from tenth to 14th century . Though ‘Chand Bardai’s ‘Prithiviraaj Raso’ is not authentically accepted ceation, yet it is undoubtedly the first epic of Hindi Literature and ‘Chand Bardai’ the first great poet.
His birth and his life
It is heard that creator has alloted the single and same day of arrival and departure from this world to Chand Varadaayi and Prithiviraaj, and they spent their life together till their death. This unique incidental occurence indicates their supreme and discurrepted ‘Sanskaaras’ that they got existed up to the mark . The time of Prithiviraaj is, as they say, traced to will have his belonging in the same period.He took his birth in Lahaur in a Chaaran (Bhaat) family. The name of his father was Kaviraaj Mallha’, who was dependent as a poet in the state of Maharaj Someshwar, the emperor of Ajmer. Here Chand Varadaayi was educated with his child friend Prithiviraaj. After the death of Maharaj Someshwar Prithiviraaj was enthroned, and then he took Chand Varadaayi as his state-poet and faithful counceller in his court. Chand Varadaayi had great ability in administration and war as well with his supreme excellency in poetical creativity. Prithiviraaj and his other stately dominated figures honoured Prithiviraaj with distinct favor. None disobeyed his commands. He was very spiritual and religious and had got special grace of deity ‘Jalandhari’. Wheresoever he roamed, a group of kingly respect assisted him. He had two wives, Kamla and Gauri. He had ten sons and a daughter from them . His fourth son named Jallan or Jallah Chand was as glorious and meritorious as his father was.
Chand Bardai was in the excellency of knowing six languages and was well versed in poetics, and knowledge of meters as well. It is said about him –
“BhaaShaa khaT nav ras paDhat, var puchchhai kaviraaj.”
(भाषा षट नव रस पढ़त । वर पुच्छै कविराज)
None challanged him as a poet in his time. This was the reason that prithiviraaj ever and ever kept him with himself and accepted him as his real brother born together.
His death
In 1192, in the battle famous with the name of ‘Tarain war’ in history, Prithiviraaj was captured by Mohammad Gori, though he had defeated Gori several times in previous wars. Cruel Gori smashed his eyes and took them out. Chand Varadaayi hinted him to throw the arrow that took immediate action hearing words (Shabda-vedhi Baan) . He took the same into action. Gori was killed, and then and there, Prithiviraaj and Chand Bardai took suicide together. This glorious historical incident is in present still narrated with grace in India.
