Part 3 - Title of the poem [Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

The title of the poem Śrīkaṇṭhacarita very well reveals the content of the poem i.e the deeds of Śrīkaṇṭha. It has been given after the name and activities of its hero, Lord Śiva. Although the poem, deals mainly with the destruction of the Tripuras, however the poet does not name the poem after it, rather he terms it Śrīkaṇṭhacarita, as his main purpose was to pay tribute to Lord Śiva. Actually, the deeds or life of Śrīkaṇṭha covers up the burning of Tripuras also. That is to say, the title of the poem properly suggests its contents. Therefore, side by side of dealing with the main theme, the poet describes the amorous activities of the divine couple Hara and Gaurī and other scenes from the mountain Kailāsa etc. only as a backdrop. Thus, the title of the poem sounds appropriate and just.

The sub-titles of each canto are also appealing and suitable, wherein, the last canto is an appendix to the poem. Those are as follows—

namaskāravarṇana, sujanadurjanavarṇana, deśavaṃśādivarṇana, kailāsavarṇana, bhagavadvarṇana, sādhāraṇavasantavarṇana, dolākrīḍāvarṇana, puṣpāvacyavarṇana, jalakrīḍāvarṇana, sandhyāvarṇana, candravarṇana, candrodayavarṇana, prasādhanavarṇana, pānakelivarṇana, krīḍāvarṇana, prabhātavarṇana, parameśvaradevasamāgamavarṇana, gaṇakṣobhavarṇana, gaṇodyogavarṇana, rathabandhanavarṇana, gaṇaprasthānavarṇana, daityapurīkṣobhavarṇana, yuddhavarṇana, tripuradāhavarṇana and granthakartṛkavikālīnakavipaṇḍitādivarṇana.