Mankhaka: A Sanskrit Genius

The book entitled "Mankhaka: A Sanskrit Genius (Reflexion of the Srikan hacarita and the Mankhakosa)" focuses on the literary expertise of Mankhaka, exhibited through his monumental works viz. the Srikan hacarita (SKC) and the Mankhakosa (MK).The SKC is a standard mahakavya from the standpoint of the canons laid down for a mahakavya by the poeticians. Mahakavirajarajanakasrimankhaka, one of the foremost poets of Kashmir composed the SKC 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 Mayasura. Later, these cities were burnt to ashes, along with the demons inhabiting therein by Lord Siva, at the behest of the gods.The SKC proves the fact that Mankhaka has full command on Sanskrit language and has complete capability to write a mahakavya. Again, the Mankhakosa or the Anekarthakosa is a kosa text of homonymous words. It is an important hand-book on lexicography. Thus, endowed with the title Karnikaramankha, Mankhaka 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.