Banabhatta

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Banabhatta, also known as Bana, was a Sanskrit scholar of 7th century India. He was born in a village called Pritikoot in a Brahman family of Vatsyayana clan. His father was Chitrabhanu and mother was Rajdevi. His mother died in childhood and father also expired at the age of 14. He was the 'Asthana Kavi' meaning 'Court Poet' of King Harshavardhana. His works include 'Harsha Charitha' a biography of Harsha and 'Kadambari'.

'Kadambari Rasajnaanaam aahaaropi na rochate' - a very famous rhetoric pun in Sanskrit which means 'While reading 'Kadambari' one will invariably get so engrossed that the reader will forget his food'. But the second meaning is that 'People who are having alcohol will forget their food'.

Banabhatta is also notable for writing one of the world's earliest novels, Kadambari.

[edit] Reference

• The Harsa-Carita of Bana. Translated by E. B. Cowell and F. W. Thomas. London: Royal Asiatic Society, 1897, 4-34.