Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)
by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words
This page relates ‘The Ladies of the Good Family (kulavadhu)’ 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.
5.14. The Ladies of the Good Family (kulavadhū)
Kṣemendra makes criticism not only of the unchaste women of the society but also of the ladies with doubtful character of the good family. He observes that a woman of good family is also not leading a value based life. She treats her husband like a slave. She has no respect for him. The unchaste wife decorating herself beautifully goes to meet the guru.[1] She comes back home after purifying herself with the embraces of the religious guru.[2] But, after arriving home she kicks her husband because he has not prepared food for her.[3]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
vaktrālokini sadane prāgalbhyād dāsabhāvamānīte/
patyau viracitaveśā yāti guruṃ dīkṣitā patnī// Deśopadeśa ,VIII.8
[2]: