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The Narmamala of Ksemendra: Critical Edition, Study and Translation. By FABRIZIA BALDISSERA. Beiträge zur Südasienforschung, Universität Heidelberg, no. 197. Würzburg: ERGON VERLAG, 2005. Pp. xliv + 142.
The Narmamala is one of several poetical "satires" attributed to the Kashmiri polymath Ksemendra (eleventh century), perhaps a pupil of Abhinavagupta himself-though this is perhaps not too significant, inasmuch as Abhinava is said to have had "1200" students ... Its target is, principally, the kayastha, here understood as the 'law-clerk', but evidently also an entire class of sycophants who lorded over the justice system through their monopoly on drafting 'writs'. Tarred with the same brush are the familiar denizens of the Indian demi-monde, here associates of the 'clerk'dishonest merchants, greedy courtesans, playboys, fraudulent ascetics, etc.
"Satire" is perhaps a bit tame here: "parody" comes closer, if not "farce." The only redeeming virtues the kayastha appears to have are revealed in numerous punning verses that liken him to Lord Siva, or at least the "dark" side of Lord Siva-".. . all pervasive, unborn, devoid of qualities, you who carry the digit of the moon, who are responsible for everything, the swallower of all poisons" c'est-à-dire: ".. . whose tenacles stretch everywhere, of low birth,...