author
active 12th century Sriharsa
Remembered as one of the great Sanskrit poets, this 12th-century Indian writer is best known for the ornate epic Naiṣadhīyacarita. He is also known in Indian philosophy for a sharp Advaita Vedānta work that challenges rival schools of thought.
1 Audiobook
Nala och Dayamanti: En indisk dikt ur Mahabharata
by active 12th century Sriharsa
About the author
Little can be said with certainty about his life, but reliable reference works agree that Śrīharṣa flourished in the 12th century and was an Indian poet and philosopher. Traditional accounts connect him with the courtly world of north India, and especially with Kannauj, though many personal details remain uncertain.
His best-known literary work is the Naiṣadhīyacarita (also called Naiṣadha), a Sanskrit mahākāvya based on the story of Nala and Damayantī. The poem became famous for its elaborate style and technical brilliance, and it is often counted among the major Sanskrit court epics.
Śrīharṣa is also important as a thinker. He is associated with Advaita Vedānta, and his Khaṇḍanakhaṇḍakhādya is known for its vigorous critique of other philosophical positions, especially debates about knowledge and proof. That mix of dazzling poetry and serious philosophical argument is what makes him stand out centuries later.