Kalhana in MaXxey’s
Srikanthacarita.
Mankhs’s notice of
the poet Kaly
5 INTRODUCTION. [Chap. I, evidently also devoted some attention to the Syotihsistra, as shown by the references made to passages of Varahemihire’s Brhatsarhhita.” ;
8. The literary fiities of Kalhana which we have just noticed, enable us to trace also 8 curious contemporary reference to our author which has hitherto escaped attention. It is contained in a passage of the S'rkanthacarita, a Kavya composed by the poet Maizna, a fellow-countryman and contemporary of Kalhana, This work, first brought to light by Professor Bibler, possesses interest for us chiefly on account of its xxv. Canto which has rightly been called altogether unique in Sanskrit literature!® Mahkhs gives us there a detailed description of the Sabha or literary assembly held at the house of his brother, the minister Alamhkara, at which he submitted his poem to a gathering of Kasmirian scholars and officials. He introduces to us the guests present at the occasion by their names, in each case adding some appropriate details as to their respective S'astras and personal attainments.
Professor Bihler has already shown that Mankha wrote his poem only a few years before the composition of Kalhana’s Chronicle. Its date must fall between the years a.p, 1128 and 1144.* Considering this close approach in time, we might reasonably expect to meet also with Kalhana in Alarhkara’s Sabha, the representative character of which is proved by the mention of no less than thirty individual scholars. Yet at first we look in vain for Kalhana’s name in this long list. Its absence seemed all the more curious in view of the fact that Kalhana himself mentions both Mankba and Alainkara among his contemporaries and in a manner implying some acquaintance with the family."* In reality, however, Mankhe on his own part has not failed to mention his distinguished fellow-poet, the author of our Chronicle. But the name by which he refers to him, is, on the first look, so different from our familiar “‘Kalhana,” that we can scarcely feel surprised at the Chronicler having so far not been recognized in this incognito.
Mankha in bis account of the ‘Sabha,’ devotes three verses to a complimentary
a4. notice of the Kavi Katyiva® He describes him as holding a distinguished
position among the expert masters of the Kavya, as a person whom “the illustrious Alakadatta thought capable of accomplishing fully his chosen task (as 8 composer of Peet} Of Kslyana’s poetic aul be says that it had become so polished as to be capable of reflecting like 8 mirror the whole perfection of Bilhana’s muse.
3 Bart vi. as viii. 715.
Ws The linit of the second date is fixed by two indications. Govindacandra, ruler of Kanauj, whose ambessador Suhala is men- tioned smong Alarkare’s gueste, reigned according to the inecriptions, between a.p. 1190 and 1144; see Report, p. 51. Tt is further to be observed that Kalbans when speaking of Alathkars, Matkhe’s brother, in connection with events which tock place a.p. 1144, men- tions him as holding the npn chee of Raja- athaniys; compare vii. 2557, 2618, etc,
note viii. 2428. Mankha, on the other hand, speaks of his brother as Samdht- vigraha, or minister of foreign sffaire (see Srikanthac. iii. 62; xxv. 61). This must bave been undoubtedly Alarokara’s earlier office, 88 Matha distinctly says thet it was
bestowed upon him already by King Sussala. Mankha himself had succeeded to it when Kalhana wrote (see viii. 3354).
As regards the limit of the first. date the mention made by Menkha of Jayasimha (a.D. 1128-1149) as hie ruling sovereign (iii. 68) is conclusive evidence. Prof. Bithler took A.D. 1185 _as the earlier limit of date, but I am unable to find his exact evidence for this. On general grounds I am inclined to believe that the time of the composition of the S'rikanths- carite lies nearer to a.p. 1144 than to the esrlier date; comp. the reference made to Apsraditya, king of the Konkena, who still
led, a.p. 1186.
4 Compare notes viii. 2498, 9954, and for S'rigara, another brother of Matkhs, note Vili, 2422.
S'rikanthacar. xxv. 78-80.
