Mahakavi Kalidasa

MAHAKAVI KALIDASA-1 

Dear friends 

I had  part of Kumara sambhavam as a lesson in my Malayalam text during 1958 while studying in standard IX. It was at that time I learnt about the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa and a brief of his other works along with that lesson. 

 

Still as Nostalgia the classes taught by Sri Bala Krishna Pillai, Malayalam teacher in the classroom of NSS High school Pandalam coming before my eyes. (On those days the Malayalam teachers were called Pundits probably they were not having graduation and teacher's training?)  

Recently I could gather a lot more information about poet Kalidasa and his Sanskrit texts.  I expect the compiling  will be interesting. This is part 1 of the posting

Sincerely,

Gopala Krishnan 21-2-2010

Re posted on 28-4-2020 after editing where necessary

Kalidasa-Introduction 

Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages. It is the mother of several Indian languages such as Hindi, Bengali and Marathi in the North. Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil   languages of the South have also been nourished by it. In fact in present  Malayalam language practically many words used  are Sanskrit. Kalidasa was a great Sanskrit poet. 

2. Who was Kalidasa?

Who was  Kalidasa? When did he live and where in India was his residence? Much discussion had taken place for a long time now about his life and times. But no definite answers are available.

Several legends have sprouted around him. For instance, one story says that he was the son of a Brahmin and lost his parents while he was a baby of six months. A cowherd brought him up; he had no schooling of any sort. 

At that time, a king named Bheema shukla ruled over Kashi. He wanted his daughter Vasanti to marry Vararuchi, a scholar in his court. But she refused saying she was a greater scholar than he was. Vararuchi became  furious.

One day, the King's minister happened to see this cowherd-boy sitting atop a tree branch  in a forest and attempting to fell the same  by axing. " What a fool! He should be an ideal husband to Vasanti!" 

The minister brought the boy to the capital. The minister and Vararuchi instructed the boy not to say anything except 'Om Swask" to any questions put to him at the palace, dressed him up in elegant clothes and took him to the royal presence. The boy was good-looking and they made Vasanti to believe that he was a great scholar.

Vasanti married him and only later came to know of the truth. She was grief-stricken. 

She was a devout worshipper of goddess Kali and taught her husband to worship her. However, no amount of his devotional prayer could please the Goddess and finally, he vowed to offer his life in sacrifice if She did not bless him. The goddess relented and asked the cowherd  to open the mouth and show his tongue outside. She inscribed some letters on his tongue. He then became a great poet- scholar. Since goddess Kali blessed him, he assumed the name of 'Kalidasa' (devotee of Kali). This is one of the most popular legends about Kalidasa. 

(This is the story taught to me in the high school class also about Kalidasa)

There are several other stories but they lack authenticity.

3 Kalidas and emperor Vikramaditya

It appears Kalidasa was at the court of emperor Vikramaditya. The place and time of this king are also not definite. But it can be said with some certainty that Kalidasa lived before the 6th century A.D., i.e., about 1400 years ago. But when exactly he lived before the 6th century is not firmly established.

4. Kalidasa and Ujjayani

 Though a deep affection for the city of Ujjain is discernible in his works, it cannot be said with certainty that he lived there. But we can assume that, wherever he may have been born, he had lived at Ujjain.

Kalidasa, however, had good knowledge of the whole of Bharat. In his poem 'Meghaduta', his descriptions of mountains and rivers and cities and villages stretching from Ramagiri in Central India up to Alakanagari in the Himalayas are very beautiful. 

In another epic poem 'Raghuvamsha', Kalidasa, while portraying the conquests of emperor Raghu, describes the places and peoples, their modes of living, food-habits and trades and professions, rivers and mountains in almost the whole country -- Assam, Bengal and Utkal in the East; Pandya and Kerala in the South and Sind, Gandhara and other places in the North-west.

Reading these pen-pictures, one cannot help but conclude that the poet must have had a personal knowledge of these areas. In short, he must have traveled widely across the length and breadth of the land, seen those places, talked to the people and studied their modes of living.

5. Kalidasa the great poet

Kalidasa possessed that distinct intellect which makes one a great poet. He was a scholar and his works display his poetic genius as well as scholarship. Also they are marked by a belief of what is good in life and people's noble goals of life. 

He could describe the rich and wealthy life of a royal palace and the serene, simple and peaceful life at a hermitage with equal understanding. He could, likewise, describe the joys of the marital life of a man and his spouse as well as their pangs of separation. He creates scenes of a serious and thoughtful nature as also hilarious scenes of light comedy. In his works is found an excellent combination of art-consciousness, unmatched word power and an unparalleled capacity for vivid portrayals.

6.  Seven Poetic works of Kalidasa

Kalidasa wrote seven works. 'Kumara sambhava' and 'Raghuvamsha' are his two epic poems. 'Malavikagnimitra', 'Vikramorvashiya' and 'Abhijnana Shakuntala' are his celebrated plays. 'Meghaduta' and 'Ritusamhara' are also poetical works of great distinction.  

I started my posting with reference to Kumara sambhavam. Let me so go about Kumara sambhavam first 

6.1 story of Kumara sambhavam

It is one of the   greatest works of Kavi Kalidasa. Some critics maintain that Kalidasa wrote only the first eight chapters of the epic poem. The work describes the marriage of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. It begins with a fine description of that giant among mountains, the Himalaya. 

Kalidasa writes: "Himalaya is rich in life. Living there are the Siddhas. Kinnaras and Vidyadhara beauties. Clouds in front of the caves look like curtains. You can trace the track of lions' by looking at the precious stones spilled from the heads of elephants and not by bloodstains. You have to know the paths they tread by recognizing 'Sarala' trees against whose stem the elephants rub themselves attracted by the sweet milk exuded by the trees. All the things needed for a sacrifice ('Yajna') are available here. Brahma (the God of creation) himself has made this the king of the mountains." It is not only a place for lovers who want to find happiness in life; it is also an ideal retreat for those who want to meditate.

Parvati is the daughter of Parvataraja, the King of the Himalayas. In course of time she blossomed into a girl of matchless beauty. She was very good-looking, like a fine portrait drawn by a master-painter. Women wear jewellery with a feeling that their beauty is enhanced by it. But the neck of Parvati appeared to enhance the beauty of the necklace itself. Parvati's speech was sweet as the playing of the Veena. And her bearing reminded one of a deer.

6.1.1 Part Played by Narada

Narada, the wandering sage once came to the court of Parvataraja, and predicted that the king's daughter would marry Lord Shiva. But Parvataraja was doubtful whether Lord Shiva would accept his daughter as bride. Neither he volunteered to ask Shiva nor did the latter came forward to ask for the hand of Parvati.. Shiva was in penance atop one of the biggest mountains in the Himalayas. 

6.1.2 Parvati serves Lord Siva doing penance

Parvataraja sent his daughter to serve the Lord who acquiesced to have her near him. Parvati served him with utmost, pure hearted devotion; she would daily cleanse his place of penance, and keep ready the articles of 'Tapas' like pure water, leaves of grass, flowers, etc.

While Shiva sat thus in penance, a 'Rakshasa' named Tarakasura began to trouble the Devas. They, in panic, went to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, and sought salvation. He told them that Parvati has to marry Lord Shiva and that the son born out of their wedlock would be able to defeat demon Taraka. But then, how to make Lord Shiva, in deep penance to awake physically and consent to marry Parvati?

6.1.3 Devendra and Kamadeva come to picture

Devendra the king of Devas found out a way. One of the Gods at his court was Kama (Manmatha) whose wife was the beautiful Rati. Kama had the capacity to make any one desire to marry. Devendra so commanded him to see that Lord Shiva would develop a desire to marry Parvati. Kama, Rati and their friend Vasanta (Lord of spring) set about the task.

Though it was not the season, Kama created all the glory and beauty of the spring. Mild, pleasant breeze began to blow from the south. Flowers were sprinkling down from 'Ashoka' trees. Birds and the bees began to savour the fresh flower of the young mango leaves.

But all this would not deter Lord Shiva from his penance. Kama went there. Shiva was doing his penance sitting on a tiger-skin under a Devadaru tree. Kama was overwhelmed on seeing the exquisite grace of Lord and the Cupid's bow and arrow fell down without his being aware of it.

 At this time, Parvati arrived on the scene to attend to her daily chores of service to the Lord. She wore a saree coloured like the bright red rays of the Sun. Nice spring flowers adorned her plait. A diamond chain shone on her forehead. Her gait was like that of a delicate flower- creeper.

 (An excellent description of beauty of Parvati is told in detail and part of it was in my class text also. There were some comments  such a vivid description should not  be in the text book of 9^th standard student I recollect now!!)  

Seeing her beauty Kamadeva got inspired he could accomplish the task better. 

MAHAKAVI KALIDASA-3

Dear friends

This is part 3 of the posting . I am thankful for the number of responses about the topic. 

Sincerely, 

Gopala Krishnan 21-2-2010

Re posted on 30-4-2020 after editing

9.4 King Raghu conducts Viswajit yaga

Even while Raghu was the Prince, he had displayed his prowess by protecting the horse his father had sent out on a victorious march at the time of conducting an Ashwamedha (a sacrifice featuring a highbred horse). A fierce battle raged between Raghu and the king of the 'Devas' Indra at the time of Dileepa's one-hundredth 'Ashwamedha' sacrifice. 

Impressed by Raghu's heroism, Indra  blessed Dileepa to enjoy the fruits of the sacrifice. Thereupon, Dileepa handed  over the regions of the kingdom to his son and went  away to the forest to spend his last days in penance.

Raghu defeated several kings and expanded his domain, conducted a great sacrifice called Vishwajit Yaga and then gave away all his worldly riches in charity.

9.6  King Raghu propose  war with Kubera to offer money to Kutsa

At that time, Kutsa, the son of a sage, came and asked for some money to pay as 'Gurudakshina' (tribute to his guru). But the king had by then donated all his wealth and belongings. The king could only offer him sanctified water from an earthen bowl. When he learnt of the need of the sage's son, he decided to wage a war against Kubera, the God of Wealth, but the latter hastened to aid Raghu and filled  his treasury to enable him to fulfil the desire to make the gift to Kautsa.

9.7 Birth of Aja and his winning Princess Indumati in swayamvara

A son was born to Raghu and he was named Aja. He was extremely good-looking and of a tender nature. On coming to age, he went  to the Swayamvara (where the bride choose her groom from amongst several aspirants) of princess Indumati of the province of Vidarbha. As she entered the Swayamvara Hall, her maid Sunanda introduced each prince describing his physical features, heroism and prowess. 

None appealed  to the princess. Sunanda then introduce d prince Aja and extoling  his fine qualities and his illustrious family. Indumati garlanded  him accepting his hand in marriage.

9.8 Kalidasa description of swayamvara and princess

Kalidasa's description of this Swayamvara is a very pleasant one. The princes' descriptions are not overdone, their physical strength, heroic disposition, riches are all described with absorbing interest. None has been belittled. Indumati does not reject other suitors because of any defects in them. Each person has a nature distinct to himself, the poet feels, and one cannot reason out why a person particularly falls in love with another. The narrative here shows the poets' high taste, aesthetic awareness of beauty and also a lively light-heartedness.

9.9 Attacks during Marriage of Aja

 The marriage of Indumati with Aja was  performed in a grand manner. But then, the disappointed princes attacked  them vengefully and fierce battle ensued. Aja defeated all of them and triumphantly returned  to his capital with his bride. Raghu instantly recognized his son's heroism and majesty, gladly handed  over the the kingdom and went  to live in a hermitage on the outskirts of Ayodhya. 

A father who ascends a seat of renunciation ('Yoga') and a son who ascends the throne -- the stance and actions of the two personalities are narrated with moving lyricism and understanding. 

The father was guided by sages and the son was  assisted by ministers. The former had conquered all the worldly desires in him while the latter had defeated enemies outside. 

Raghu's life displays a personality that shows how one can achieve that exquisite serenity and peace if only one could concentrate on total devotion to God. Likewise, the pleasures of living a man of sterling qualities can achieve and enjoy are evidenced in the life of Aja. Though both Dileepa and Raghu are great men, we notice a difference in them.

9.10 Four goals achieved by king Raghu

As laid down by our learned ancestors, a man should have four goals before him:

spiritual awareness or righteousness ('Dharma'), acquisition of wealth ('Artha'), love or a desire for physical pleasure ('Kama'), and ultimately salvation ('Moksha').

 Neither the desire to earn wealth nor the urge for pleasures of life is wrong but they should be accompanied by a sense of righteousness. One should try to acquire wealth through moral means; he should earn it in a manner, which does not do any injustice to others. 

He should spend money for right and good causes. He should not take to wrong or harmful ways, which may hurt others. 

He should live a life, which could bring him salvation when death approaches and seeks to be one with divinity. 

We see that Dileepa's life is dominated by 'Dharma'. He is so self-sacrificing as to offer himself as food for the lion, which comes to attack Nandini. And we find the true meaning of 'Artha' (acquisition and spending of wealth) in the life of Raghu. While conquering many domains, he gives away all his riches to those he found deserving and at last he is left with only an earthen bowl for himself!

9.11 Queen Indumati meets death from the garland fallen from Narada's veena

Aja's rule had earned the affection of all his subjects. One day he was holidaying in the garden outside the city with his wife. Sage Narada was passing through that sky-route when a heavenly garland adorning his Veena slipped down and hit Indumati who instantly collapsed, and breathed her last.

 His aides shock Aja to unconsciousness and wakes up after ministrations. Resting Indumati's head on his lap, he laments: "Should a flower take away your life? Why don't I die even as I hold this garland? It's God's will that poison could turn into nectar and the latter may change into poison. You were everything to me--wife, counselor, aide and my disciple in learning of arts. By snatching you away, death has robbed me of everything". (This is a new story to me)

9.12 Dasaratha son of king Aja and Indumati

Dasharatha  was King Aja's son who at that time of his mother's death was still a young boy. The king managed to live for eight more years. Then king Aja handed   over the crown to Dasaratha; He then went  to the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Sarayu and breathed his last in that holy spot.

My note- Sri Rama too followed the same path

Kalidasa has well-illustrated 'Kama' ('desire for pleasure') in the life of Aja. Here we see the portrayal of his happy life with Indumati as well as of his anguish upon her sad demise. Aja Pains for her and ends his life by drowning in the river as he cannot bear the pangs of separation from his beloved wife. It is an excellent example of devoted love. 

The stories of king Dileepa, Raghu and Aja are told in the first eight 'sargas' (chapters) of Raghu vamsa. 

MAHAKAVI KALIDASA 4 

Continuing from part 3 Raghu vamsam 

This is part 4 and final part of the posting on Kavi Kalidasa.

Sincerely 

Gopala Krishnan 21-2-2010

Reposted on 1-5-2020 after editing

9.13 Ramayana episodes

Subsequent chapters deal with the lives of Dasharatha, Sri Rama and the brothers Lava and Kusha. The poet presents here the theme of Ramayana in a condensed form. The story of Ramayana is quite well known but Kalidasa's narration can be said to be unique. Valmiki's original narrative is marked by simplicity and grace, shining likes a pure diamond. Kalidasa's handling of this theme makes this diamond shine more glitteringly by expert processing.

9.14 King Athithi son of king Kusa

After Kusha, his son Atithi ascends the throne. Kalidasa is full of praise for this young king and emphasizes that he ruled as dictated by 'Dharma', successfully protected his kingdom from enemies; sages were performing their penance unhindered. 

9.15 Successors of king Athithi

Kalidasa lists twenty kings belonging to the Raghu dynasty who ruled after Atithi. According to the poet, Agnivarna, the last of this clan, was a pleasure-seeker who forgot his kingly duties and obligations.

9.16 Story of Agni varma- last king of the clan

It is said that King Agni varma would bestow an audience to those who came to see him by relaxing at window stretching his legs on the windows. Disease bedeviled him and upon his death, his wife fulfilled the obligation as a queen with the help of wise old ministers. Thus ends the description of the Raghu clan on a sad note.

'Raghuvamsha' depicts our ancient, historical culture and tradition. Our ancestors had discussed in detail about such matters as to who could be a good ruler, who is a man of 'tapas' (penance), how one should lead a good, purposeful life and the like. The poet has portrayed diverse characters like Vashishta, Dileepa, Raghu, Aja and others. Agnivarna is an example of a king who could be termed as 'depraved'. 

10 'Sakuntalam the Masterpiece

'Abhijnana Sakuntalam' is the greatest creation of Kavi Kalidasa. This literary masterpiece has been translated into several languages around the world.

The story of Sakuntalam appears in the 'Adiparva' chapter of the epic Mahabharata.

10.1 Sakuntalm story told by Kalidasa

There are slight variations in the story though theme is the same in different epics.   King Dushyanta, while on a gaming expedition (safari), arrives at the hermitage of sage Kanva. He was away and his adopted daughter Sakuntala looks after the distinguished guest's needs.

Dushyanta, immediately on seeing her, is struck by her beauty and offers to marry her. Sakuntala lays down a condition that the king should promise to hand over the kingdom to the son born to her and Dushyanta agrees. They marry and spend some happy days, after which the king returns to the capital. Sakuntala, in course of time, gives birth to a son who is named     Sarvadamana (This naming is new to me).

Six years pass and still Dushyanta does not send for his spouse and son. Sage Kanva voluntarily decides to send Sakuntala to the palace. When she arrives at Dushyanta's abode, he refuses to recognize her. Sakuntala is grief- stricken. Then amidst her lament a heavenly voice commands Dushyanta:  "He is your son. Accept him." The king then takes him in and the boy later comes to be renowned as Bharata.

KALIDASA WEAVES A GREAT PLAY BASING ON THIS MAHABHARATA THEME. 

The first meeting of Dushyanta and Sakuntala is a lively, colorful sequence in the play. Dushyanta, in the course of his hunting expedition arrives at Kanva's hermitage and there in the garden he sees Sakuntala engaged in watering the plants along with her maids. Mesmerized by her beauty, he desires to marry her while Sakuntala also is deeply impressed by the sight of the royal dignitary. They then marry in the 'Gandharva' style. 

The king returns to the capital while Sakuntala, left behind in the ashrama. 

10.2 Sage Durvasa's curse

After the king returns, sage Durvasa comes to call on sage Kanva. The latter was away and Sakuntala was so lost in her thoughts of king Dushyanta those sage's words: "I, a guest, have come" fell on her deaf ears. The sage is enraged and always quick to anger, curses her: "May the person about whom you are thinking forget you!" Later, he relents and says: "When he sees an object, which he has given you and recognizes it, he will remember you."

Unfortunately, Sakuntala loses the ring given by Dushyanta who just forgets her. 

Kanva sends Sakuntala, now pregnant, to the court of Dushyanta along with his disciples. (Mahabharata pictures her child, about six now, who is very active) 

Kalidasa portrays the farewell of sage Kanva to Sakuntala very touchingly. The whole ashram is plunged in sorrow. Kanva, Sakuntala's maids, all shed tears at departure; even the trees, plants, and birds bow down with grief.

10.3 Dushyanta rejects Sakuntala

Upon her arrival, king Dushyanta cannot recognize Sakuntala. He even thinks it improper to look at the woman who is a stranger to him. He could not believe that this woman is his wife. The ring is lost on the way and Sankuntala, overcome with grief after being rejected by Dushyanta, collapses and is then carried away by a divine light. 

After a few days, the ring is found in the stomach of a fish and Dushyanta, upon seeing it, remembers everything. 

10.4 Dushyanta again meets Sakunthala

He feels sad that he rejected Sakuntala. Later, on his way back from Heaven where he had gone to assist Indra on an errand, he visits the hermitage of Mareecha. There he sees a boy daringly attempting to bare the jaws of a lion's cub. On inquiry, he learns that he is none other than his own son Sarvadamana. Dushyanta, his consort and their son are happily united.

10.5 Kalidasa presentation of Sakunthalam

At the end of the play, one feels sad at the sufferings of Shakuntala and we are at a loss as to whether we should blame Dushyanta or the 'Divine Power' for these happenings. In the last act, we see Shakuntala wrapped in a very ordinary saree, but she is a picture of grace and dignity. Though young in age, she speaks but a few words in a profound sense.

She is a real Tapaswini (one who wants to sacrifice life for eternal salvation). One wonder at the manner in which she has transformed herself from a pleasure- seeking young girl into a young woman imbued with a sense of total renunciation and service. Through portraying scenes of Sakuntala's maids teasing her, sage Kanva's far-sightedness, the King's paining for Sakuntalas love when she is away, Shakuntala's unsullied sense of love, the divine grace which brought about the happy reunion, the playwright presents before us a large canvas on which all the vicissitudes of life are touched upon.

11. Malavikagni mitram

'Malavikagnimitram' is in fact the first play of Kavi Kalidasa. The author shows his humility and is   uncertain whether people would accept play. He pleads 'Puranamityeva Na sadhu sarvam, Na chapikavyamnavamityavadyam' (Everything old is not good, nor is everything known is bad). The theme of the play is the love-story of Agnimitra and Malavika. 

12. Vikramorvaseyam

Kalidasa's second play 'Vikramorvashiyam' is about the loves and tribulations of king Pururava and the heavenly apsaras 'Urvashi'. The story in detail I have presented many times.

13. Meghadutam

'Meghadutam' is a beautiful love-lyric. Megham, cloud is used as a messenger. It is a sandesa kavyam.

 A 'Yaksha', who is forced to be separated from his mistress for a year, sends her a message. The lady is residing at Alakanagari. 'Go and tell her that I told so', instructs the Yaksha to the cloud who becomes his messenger.

 The very fact that a cloud ('Megha') is chosen to be a messenger of love is something unique. The poet fascinatingly describes the travels of the cloud from Ramagiri to Alakanagari. The rivers, hills and mountains, cities and towns, vast fields, farmers' daughters as well as girls in the cities, the birds and the bees -- are all described by the poet vividly. It is a total picture of a beautiful world. His descriptions of Alakanagari, the Yaksha's house and the garden around, the Yaksha's wife playing the Veena and her grace and beauty are captivating.

14. Ritusamharam

'Ritusamharam' is a small-scale poetical creation depicting the six seasons. However, it is equally appealing. The poet here sees beauty in everything. Each different facet of nature he sees in each of the seasons fascinates him; it is a romantic sight.

In sum, it gives us great aesthetic pleasure to read Kalidasa's works. His descriptions enthrall us. With him we are in the company of a highly civilized, cultured personality. It is like a flower, which, in bloom, spreads its fragrance all around. And a man's mature, ripened mind and intellect brings pleasure to those around him. 

Kalidasa's creations, pleases us deeply to come into contact with characters like Parvati, Dileepa, Raghu, Aja, Shakuntala, Dushyanta and Kanva. It is a wonderful experience.

15. Conclusion

 I am concluding my posting about Kalidasa and his works here. While reading from net I could get a lot of information about Raghuvamsam.

Details of Meghadutam, Ritusamharam, Vikramorvaseeyam and Malavkagni mitram I am clearly reading  now.