The History of Indian Literature c9.55

c9.55

²⁰⁸ Six of these artificial epics are specially entitled *Mahákávyas*. These are, in addition to the *Raghuvaṅśa* and *Kumára-sambhava*:—(1) the *Bhaṭṭi-kávya*, in 22 *sargas*, composed in Valabhí under king Śrí-Dharasena (xxii. 35), in the 6th or 7th cent. therefore; it deals with the story of Ráma, and is written with a special reference to grammar: (2) the *Mágha-kávya* or *Śiśupálabadha* of Mágha, the son of Dattaka, in 22 *sargas* (Suprabhadeva, grandfather of the poet, is described as the minister of a king Śrí-Dharmanábha), and (3) the *Kirátárjuníya* of Bháravi, in 18 *sargas*,—both prior to Haláyudha (end of the 10th cent.), see *I. St.*, viii. 193, 195, 196: (4) the *Naishadhíya* of Śrí-Harsha, in 22 *sargas*, of the 12th cent. (see Bühler in the *Journal Bombay Br. R. A. S.*, x. 35). The *Rághavapáṇḍavíya* of Kavirája, in any case later than the 10th cent. (see *I. Str.*, i. 371), enjoys a high esteem; it handles, in the self-same words, at once the story of the Rámáyaṇa and that of the Mahá-Bhárata, and, like the *Nalodaya*, in 4 *sargas*, which is even ascribed to Kálidása (edited so long ago as 1830 by Ferd. Benary), is one of the most characteristically artificial pieces of this class of poetry. All these works have been frequently published in India, and to them are to be added many other similar productions. — The Prákṛit poem *Setu-bandha* or *Rávana-badha*, which relates to the story of Ráma, and is reputed to be by Kálidása, also merits special mention here. Of this Paul Goldschmidt has already published two chapters (Göttingen, 1873); and Siegfried Goldschmidt is engaged on an edition of the entire text.