Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)
by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words
This page relates ‘Virodhabhasa (contradiction)’ 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.
1.7. Virodhābhāsa (contradiction)
When two things are appeared as contradictory to each other, though there is no contradiction between the two in reality, it is a case of the figure Virodhābhāsa[1]. In the Narmamālā, in the verse, paśyannandho vadan mūkaḥ[2].……….., it has been mentioned that the bhaṭṭa (official) can see but is blind, can talk but is dumb, can listen but is deaf. Without a bribe, the wicked bhaṭṭa remains asleep. The verse may be taken as an example of Virodha or Virodhābhāsa.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
jātiścaturbhirjātyādyairguṇo guṇādibhistribhiḥ// kriyā kriyādravyābhyāṃ yad dravyaṃ dravyeṇa vā mithaḥ/
viruddhameva bhāseta virodho’sau daśākṛtiḥ// Sāhityadarpaṇa , X.68