The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.43

v1.c13.43

Avantivarman and his minister also appear to have been liberal patrons of letters. Amongst the poets who obtained fame during his reign Kalhaṇa mentions four, *viz.*, Ānandavardhana, Ratnākara, Śivasvāmin, and Muktākaṇa.⁶ Of these the first was the author of two works, yet extant, the *Dhvanyāloka*, a rhetorical treatise, and the poem *Devīśataka*, both of which ‘were commented upon towards the close of the 10th century.’ Ratnākara has been rightly identified with the author of *Haravijaya*, who composed this work under Cippaṭa Jayāpīḍa (826-38 A.D.). Muktākaṇa ‘appears to be known otherwise only from quotations in two treatises of Kṣemendra (11th century),’ while Śivasvāmin is ‘perhaps identical with the poet, verses of whom are given in Kṣemendra's *Kavikaṇṭhābharaṇa* and some later anthologies.'¹