The Darpa Dalana is an unusual poetic work in classical Sanskrit from 11th century Kashmir. It is a satiric look at human attitudes as also a social comment on the times. Its 587 verses are spread over seven sets of vicaras or thoughts. These dwell on the main causes of man’s arrogance: family, wealth, learning, beauty, power, charity and sanctimony. All need to be understood and discarded for a better life.

Each discussion is enlivened with a story. They feature humans and animals as well as divinities. The hero of one is the Buddha in person, and of another the great god Siva, pointing to the poet’s own broad based outlook on belief. He is Ksemendra, a well known figure in Sanskrit literature, whose epigrammatic verses are also quoted in anthologies. His work includes critiques on poetics and prosody, devotional poetry, epic abstracts and social satires. Most seemed lost...