Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)
by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words
This page relates ‘The Tradesman (vanik)� part of the study on the Satirical works of Kshemendra: an 11th century poet from Kashmir, who composed three satirical works. Kshemendra himself says that in composing the satirical works his only motive is to reform the mindset of the people.—He exposes all the vices and follies prevailing in the society with the intention to reform it.
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5.11. The Tradesman (vaṇik)
The tradesman is also another target of ṣeԻ. He satirizes the tradesman who out of greed robs people applying different trickeries. He ridicules the crafty and deceitful traders. ṣeԻ says that such traders have fallen from the high ideals of satya, ś and tapa. For him, greed is deep rooted in their hearts.[1]
For the author, the tradesman is none but a day thief (divasacaura) as he loots people at the time of selling and purchasing objects.[2] Applying various tricks the tradesman robs people but he gets pain in his heart if he has to spend only three coppers for his own house hold work.[3] The author satirizes such businessman who listens to religious books but never donates anything.[4] The tradesman also takes interest in money lending. ṣeԻ calls him a rogue, who remains silent during the time of selling but if someone comes with a deposit in hand welcomes him.[5] With the deposited money the cunning tradesman makes a large profit in his business.[6] But he never returns that deposited money. He conceals deposits of numerous people. ṣeԻ compares his wickedness with a snake which dances at the time of measury.[7] The miser tradesman only hoards money and never spends in the name of charity and enjoyments. ṣeԻ expresses his anguish calling him ṭṭ辱ś峦.[8] He also ridicules him calling him a rat of ruined temple.[9]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[3]:
hṛtvā dhana� janānā� dinamakhila� vividhakūṭamāyābhi�/
vitarati gṛhe 쾱ṭa� kaṣṭena varāṭakatritaya�// ibid., II.5
[4]:
ākhyāyikānurāgī vrajati puṇyapustaka� śrotu�/
岹ṣṭ iva kṛṣṇasarpai� palāyate dānadharmyebhya�// ibid., II.6
[5]:
na dadāti prativacana� vikrayakāle śṭho vaṇi� maunī /
nikṣepapāṇipuruṣa� dṛṣṭvā saṃbhāṣaṇa� kurute// ibid., II.9
[6]:
tat sañcūrṇanajātai� krayavikrayalābharāśibhiranantai�/
bhāṇḍapratibhāṇḍacayairupahasati dhanādhinātha� sa�// ibid., II.17