Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)
by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words
This page relates ‘Vyasadasa–his other name’ 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.
6. Vyāsadāsa–his other name
Kṣemendra himself states that his other name is Vyāsadāsa.[1] In most of his works he mentions himself as Vyāsadāsa. He was a very brilliant writer like Vedavyāsa as is indicated by this title. Vyāsadāsa may be a literary title of Kṣemendra, which he obtained as a mark of recognition by epitomising Vyāsa’s Mahābhārata.[2] But, there is a controversy. If Kṣemendra got the title Vyāsadāsa for his literary achievement, then Somendra might have mentioned it because he has given a long account of his father. In the Lokaprakāśa, it is mentioned that Kṣemenda was a disciple of sage Vyāsadāsa, son of Parāśara.[3] Most probably, Kṣemendra expresses his reverence to sage Vyāsadāsa by naming himself with that name[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
tasyātmajaḥ sarvamanīṣiśiṣyah srīvyāsadāsāparapuṇyanāmā/
kṣemendra ityakṣayakāvyakīrtiścakre navaucityavicāracarcāṃ// Aucityavicāracarcā ,Upasaṃhāra,3