Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)

by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words

This page relates ‘The Oculist (cakshurvaidya)’ 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.

5.6. The Oculist (cakṣurvaidya)

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Kṣemendra also satirizes the oculist for his evil doings. He makes criticism of the oculist who makes the whole world blind with his arrows and ointments.^[1] He ridicules the oculist for whom the summer season is profitable like an autumn harvest as in this season people suffers badly from eye disease.^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

cakṣurvaidyo’yamāyātastapasvī sarvasaṃśrayaḥ/
kiṃśāruvartibhiryena sarvamandhīkṛtaṃ jagat// Narmamālā ,III.59

[2]:

grīṣme’kṣikopabāhulyādasya lagne śaratphale/
sampūrṇaḥ kriyatāṃ yāgaḥ pāṇḍuvallīnirantaraḥ// ibid.,III.60

Last Updated: 05 November, 2023