Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)
by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words
This page relates ‘Summary of the Padmapabhritakam� part of the study on the Satirical works of Kshemendra: an 11th century poet from Kashmir, who composed three satirical works. Kshemendra himself says that in composing the satirical works his only motive is to reform the mindset of the people.—He exposes all the vices and follies prevailing in the society with the intention to reform it.
7.1. Summary of the ʲ峾ṛt첹
The ʲ峾ṛt첹 (ʲ峾ṛt첹) is a ṇa type of play included in the ٳܰṇ�, composed by Śū첹. There is a controversy regarding the date of Śū첹. Śū첹 composed another two works namely the ṛc첹ṭi첹 and the īṇāv岹ٳ.
In the play, the վṭa (named Śaśa) is employed by his friend Mūladeva to understand the feelings of his beloved ٱ𱹲. On the way, the վṭa meets a number of people with whom he carries imaginary conversation until he gets his destination. The վṭa returns completing his mission successfully and brings a lotus flower from ٱ𱹲 as a symbol of love for Mūladeva from which the work is named so. The scene of the play is laid in Ujjain.
In the play, the hypocrisy of the people is satirized by the poet. The ṇa and the Buddhists are also object of satire in the work. Throughout the work, bantering tone is used.
Firstly, the sky gazing poet Śārasvatabhadra of ٲⲹԲ gotra, son of Śāradvatī is satirized, for his composition of some worthless poems.
The poet ridicules him comparing with a cobbler in the following line, said by the վṭa�
purāṇakāvyapadacchedagrathanacarmakāra kimida� naṣṭagoyūtha iva gopālako navapadānanveṣase!
Herein it is satirically said that as the cobbler joins torn out things, so as the poet joins words collecting from older poems. Otherwise, he has no talent to compose a good poetry. The վṭa also mentions him as a 屹ⲹ辱ś峦.
Next, a Pāṇinian grammarian named Dattakalaśi is satirized here, who is a vain pretender to learning, quarrelsome and debauch. He is addicted to harlots. The grammarian uses such a tough technical vocabulary that it may drive back his beloved whom he seeks. ٲԳٰ grammarians are also satirized here who are said to make quarrel with the Pāṇinian grammarians.
Another hypocrite named Pavitraka, son of Dharmāsanika is also satirized here, who always pretends to be a pious man and gives his identity as a ղṣṇ. In the streets, he protects himself from the touch of other people but always keeps relationship with the harlots. The poet condemns such person, who looks outwardly a gentleman but inwardly a lier. In the words of վṭa�ākṛtimātrabhadrako bhavān mithyācāravinīto hyasi.
A young licentious ṇa is also satirized here. He is Śaṣilaka who secretly engages himself with dice and women. He is said to keep a female mendicant secretly in his house.
Sandhilaka, a characterless Buddhist monk is also satirized here. He is depicted as a regular visitor of the brothel. When he is caught in the brothel, he gives excuses that he only visited it to console the harlot upon the death of his mother�
mātṛvyāpattiduḥkhitā� saṅghadāsikā� buddhavacanai� paryavasthāpayitumāgato'smi.
In the play, the վṭa laments that the teachings of Buddha is defiled everyday by such hypocrites. He says�
aho sāriṣṭatā buddhaśāsanasya yadevamvidhairapi vṛthāmuṇḍairasad bhikṣubhirupahanyamāna� pratyahamabhipūjyata eva.
The hypocrite Buddhist monk is ridiculed here as a ghost living in the monastery ().