अवन्तिसुन्दरीकथासारः /13

INTRODUCTION
 
xi
 

 
The Pallava king Nandivarman Pallavamalla is praised in his
inscription
inscription[^¹] as Karnṇīsuta in his knowledge of arts. The author

of Jayamanṅgalā, a commentary on the Kamasutra of
āmasūtra of
Väātsyāyana, when dealing with the Mlecchita-vikalpa[^²
]
(systems of cipher-writing) cites by way of illustration two

systems, one founded by Kauṭalya and the other by Müūladeva.

This fact that Kauṭalya and Müūladeva were authors of systems

of cipher-writing is quite in keeping with the tradition that

ascribes to them mastery of all sciences and arts. This

system of ciper-writing, it may be mentioned in passing, is

called Müūlabhadriya in Kerala and the Malayalis of old

generations are found to make use of it on occasions of

secrecy In the body. of the Avantisundarī, Müūladeva

alias Karnṇīsuta figures as a teacher of burglary, abduction,

illicit love etc. In the Mattavilāsa-prahasana of Mahendra

Vikrama, Kharapatṭa is said to be the author of Cora

śāstra[^³] (the science of theft) and Kauṭalya in his

Arthasaśāstra says that the implements of torture should be

learnt from Kharapata.ṭa.[^4] Bāṇa in his Kaādambariī[^5] makes
mention of the story of Karnīsuta, and the Jain Upādhyāya
Siddhacandra commenting on the word quotes a passage
identifying Karnīsuta with Kharapata. The lexicon Tri-
kandasesa of Puruşottama gives Karnīsuta, Kharapata,
Müladeva and Kalänkura as synonyms. It is highly doubtful
if one and the same person could be a romantic adventurer, a
teacher and master of kalas possessing all good qualities, an
author of a treatise on theft and daring opponent of an
usurper of the imperial throne; and the correctness of identifi-
cation with Müladeva alias
mention of the story of Karṇīsuta, and the Jain Upādhyāya
Siddhacandra commenting on the withord quotes a passage
identifying Kharapata may arnīsuta with Kharapaṭa. The lexicon Tri-
kāṇḍaśeṣa of Puruṣottama gives Karṇīsuta, Kharapaṭa,
Mūladeva and Kalāṅkura as synonyms. It is highly doube
held in atful
if one and the same person could beyance until fresh hi a romantic adventurer, a
teacher and master of kalās possessinght is thro all good qualities, an
author of a treatise on theft and a daring opponent of an
usurper of the imperial throne; and the correctness of identifi-
cation wn on
itith Mūladeva alias Karṇīsuta with Kharapaṭa may by
further researches.
 
e
held in abeyance until fresh hight is thrown on
it by further researches.
 
[^1]. S.I.I. Vol. II, p. 346 ff.

[^2]. ग्लेच्छित विकल्पा
 
2.
 
इति — यत्
 
साधुशब्दोपनिबद्धमप्यक्षरव्यत्यासाद्

अस्पष्टार्थ तन्ग्म्लेच्छितं गूढवस्तु मन्त्रार्थम् । तस्य विकल्पा बहवः पूर्वाचार्योक्ताः । तद्

यथा कौटिलीयम् – दादे: क्षान्तस्य कादेश्च स्वरयोरुभयोरपि ।
 

बिन्दूष्मणोर्विपर्यासाद् दुर्बोधमिति संज्ञितम् ॥

अकौ खगौ घडौङौ चैव चटौ ञणौ तपौ नमौ ।

यशौ रषौ लसौ चेति मूलदेवीयमुच्यते ॥
 

[^3.
 
]. नमः खरपटायेति वक्तव्यं येन चोरशास्त्रं प्रणीतम् । ( TSS. 55, p. 15).
 

[^4.
]. तस्योपकरणं प्रमाणं प्रहरणं प्रधारणमवधारणञ्च खरपट्टादागमयेत् ।

(TSS. Edn. No. 80, p. 156.)
 

[^5]. N. S. Edn., p. 19.