Naishadha Charita

Naishadha Charita, also known as Naishadhiya Charita (Naiṣadhīya-carita), is a poem in Sanskrit on the life of Nala, the king of Nishadha. Written by Sriharsha, it is considered one of the five mahakavyas (great epic poems) in the canon of Sanskrit literature.[1][2]:136

Contents

This mahakavya is divided into two parts – Purva and Uttara, each of them containing eleven cantos or divisions. Its story is that of Nala and Damayanti, the daughter of Bhima, the king of Vidarbha. This story is first related in the 3rd part of Vanaparva of the Mahabharata, where the treatment is different. The language of the Naishadha Charita is highly elaborate and polished, with continual play upon words and variety of metres.[3] Shishupala Vadha of Magha and Naishadha Charita of Sriharsha are considered tests for scholars;[2]:136 of the Naishadha it is said that Naishadham Vidvad-aushadham, that it is the "Scholars’ tonic".[2]:146

Date and authorship

Sriharsa flourished during the 12th century A.D.[4] He lived during the reign of Jayachandra of Kanauj who was defeated by Shihabuddin in 1193 A.D.[5]

References

  1. ↑ The Indian Encyclopaedia. Genesis Publishing. p. 5079.
  2. 1 2 3 C.Kunhan Raja. Survey of Sanskrit Literature. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. pp. 136, 146–148.
  3. ↑ Sriharsa. The Uttara Naishadha Charita 1855 Edition (PDF). Asiatic Society of Bengal. pp. I –.
  4. ↑ Encyclopaedia Brittanica.
  5. ↑ Introduction (PDF). p. 11.


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