Among the kings of ancient Kashmir, AvantiVarman,
who has established the Utpala dynasty in 855 A.D., was the most magnificent. He has overthrown Karkotaka kings of
Kashmir. He was the patron of many
renowned poets among them Ratnakara and Sivasvamin were praise
worth.
Ratnakara, being a protégé in the court of AvantiVarman
composed a long major court epic titled Haravijayam in 50 cantos
with 4000 slokas. He had the
titles Raajaanaka, Vageesvara, Vidyaadhipati. The poem having the mark “ratna”,
exhibits the author’s skill in Sabdalankara i.e., figurative poetry. The poem is valuable for the information it
contains on dancing. The poem describes
the slaying of Andhaka-Asura by the Lord Siva. The description of love sports, gathering of
armies and discussions of politics are all long and the style is harsh and
over-worked.
Another poet Sivasvamin, better known as Bhatta
Sivasvamin, the contemporary of Ratnakara was a protégé of the same
king Avanti-Varman. His poem titled Kappinabhyudayam in 20
cantos describes how a king of the south Kappina by name threatened
to attack king Prasenajit of Sraavasti. Later Kappina was converted into Buddhism. The author avails himself of the opportunity
to deal with the matters that require to be treated in a Mahakavyam.
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