Ma���khaka

The book entitled Maṅkhaka: A Sanskrit Genius (Reflexion of the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita and the Maṅkhakośa) focuses on the literary expertise of Maṅkhaka exhibited through his monumental works viz. the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita (ŚKC) and the Maṅkhakośa (MK).The ŚKC is a standard mahākāvya from the standpoint of the canons laid down for a mahākāvya by the poeticians. Mahākavirājarājānakaśrīmaṅkhaka one of the foremost poets of Kashmir composed the ŚKC during A.D.1136-1142 consisting of twenty five cantos.It describes the destruction of the three cities of gold silver and iron in the sky air and earth built for the demons by Mayāsura. Later these cities were burnt to ashes along with the demons inhabiting therein by Lord Śiva at the behest of the gods.The ŚKC proves the fact that Maṅkhaka has full command on Sanskrit language and has complete capability to write a mahākāvya. Again the Maṅkhakośa or the Anekārthakośa is a kośa text of homonymous words. It is an important hand-book on lexicography. Thus endowed with the title Karṇikāramaṅkha Maṅkhaka occupies a unique place in the history of Sanskrit literature and truly deserves to be called a Sanskrit genius for the merits of his works.