Biography and Works of Kalidasa: The Great Poet of Ancient India
Kalidasa, the revered poet of ancient India, is celebrated for his significant contributions to Sanskrit literature. Known for works like "Abhignana Sakuntalam" and "Raghuvamsam," Kalidasa's life and poetic genius continue to inspire scholars and enthusiasts alike. This biography explores his origins, poetic works, and enduring legacy in the literary world.
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HINDU COLLEGE GUNTUR INDUMATI SWAYAMVARAM 1st Unit, Chapter-1 Degree 2nd Sem
Introduction of the Poet: Kalidas, who is the preceptor of race of the poets, is consid ered as ancient India's greatest poet."We are worshipping Kalidas who is the abode of the goddess Lakshmidevi, elegant place for the goddess Saraswatidevi and who got the grace of the goddess Mahakali." So praised by the many, Kalidas became very popular in Sanskrit literature. He was one of the Nine Gems in the court of the king Vikrama. From the observation of epics, it is known that his birthplace was Ujjain.Inspired by the sage Valmiki, this great poet influenced his succeeding poets and scholars with his poetic works. Many poets followed his path. Kalidas is still alive in the hearts of virtuous people.
Backstory of Poet: The Poet's Life: There was an interesting story that was widespread about Kalidas. A king who was an atheist (one who doesn't believe in the existence of God) had a very beautiful daughter named Vidyuttama. She was a scholar.The king once asked his daughter, 'Who is the most powerful person in the world?" oitw She replied that the omnipotent God is the most powerful. He got angry with her reply. to He saw a fool in the forest who was cutting the branch on which he was sitting with an to axe. The king decided that he was the worthy husband for his daughter and married dy his daughter off to the fool. Vidyuttama realised that her husband was a fool and prayed to the goddess Durgadevi. The goddess Durga took pity on him and made her husbanda scholar. Kalidas also went into the forest, made penance in hathayoga method. He pleased the goddess Kali and eulogized her. Then, he got the grace of Kali and became popular with the name 'Kalidas."
The Poet's Time: There is a bit ambiguity regarding the poet's time. Many decided that he belonged to the 1st century A.D. | Poetic Works: The legendary poet Kalidas wrote the epic poems Kumara Sambhavam 'Raghuvamsam', the lyrics Ruthusamharam', 'Meghadootam' and three drama Malavikagni Mitram, Vikramorvaseeyam' and 'Abhignana Sakuntalam"."A drama is impressive among the epics; Abhignana Sakuntalam is considered to be significant among the dramas. Fourth out of that drama and four verses in that act are very impressive." This is a popular saying about the drama Sakuntalam. It always e tertains the people.nong the epic poems. It is a historScholars opine that Raghuvamsam is the best amongcal fact a foreign scholar considered 'Sakuntalam' was the best among Kalidasa's dramas, learnt Sanskrit language and derived pleasure reading this drama.
The Beauty of the poets writings: The writings of Kalidasa Mahakavi are enriched with pleasing quality. The figure of speech 'simile' was widely used in his writings. That's why Kalidasa's simile, Bharavis meaning profundity, Maghakavi's usage of subtle words are laudable: The scholars praised that the poet Magha possessed these three quall ties. Kalidasa is matchless regarding the aspect of the nature's description. He e pressed his feelings in many of his works about the issues women empowerment women education' and 'respect for women in the society'. He also praised a lot about the significance of Grihasthasrama (the system of being a householder) in his worksThus the poetic styles of Kalidasa are quite impressive.
The Epic Raghuvamsam: Raghuvamsam is an epic that consists of 19 cantos. Th epic deals with the description starting from the emperor Dileep to Agnivarna w hailed from the Surya dynasty. Kalidasa explained about the greatness of the kings Surya dynasty in this epic. "Can my mind with less intellect describe the grandeur the kings born in the Solar dynasty? But I resorted to write this epic like a person whe dares to cross the sea with a coracle."
Background: The emperor Dileep of Surya dynasty with the intention of forming a dynasty after his son Raghuvu's name, requested a boon from Nandini dhenu (cow). Hence, the Surya dynasty became famous as the Raghu dynasty. Aja was the son of Raghuvu. When he became young, the king of Vidarbha wanted to perform marriage to his sister Indumathi. He announced swayamvara and sent invitation to Aja also. Think ing that their match was the best, Raghuvu sent his son to swayamvara.
The Present Story: Many kings from all countries participated in the swayamvara. Everyone of them had particular specialities. The gatekeeper Sunanda introduced the princes one by one to Indumathi. Having rejected the king of Magadha, the king of Anga, the king of Haihaya namedPrateepa, the king of Avanthi and so on, Indumathi stopped at the eighth king Aja. The lesson starts from here.
Deepasikha (Flame of the Lamp): Sunanda explained to Indumathi about each king lamp proceeds further, the fort which is crossed seems as if it is enwrapped in the darkness. Similarly, when Indumathi passed by the kings, they lost the glow in their faces. Aja's Feeling: When she approached him, he doubted if she would accept him or not.In the meanwhile, his right shoulder tembled and indicated an auspicious omen. After seeing Aja who had prefect qualities and was eligible in all ways, Indumathi gave up her desire to see another king. The bee who reached a fully blossomed mangotree doesn't go another side, does it?
Sunanda Introducing Aja: Sunanda understood Indumathi's opinion on Aja. She knows how the task is fulfilled. She knows how to introduce him and in which order. So she gradually explained to Indumathi the majesty of his dynasty.Any woman wants that the person who is going to marry her should protect her inevery possible way. Later, she wants him to be generous. She desires handsomeness,age and character in him. Sunanda introduced the king Aja in the very order.
Aja's Guarding Ability: Once there lived a king named Kakutsudu who was one of the kings born in Ikshvaka dynasty. He helped Indra during the battle between gods and demons. When he had no proper vehicle in the battle, Indra transformed into a bull and became his vehicle. As he fought sitting on the bull's hump, he received the title 'Kakutsudu. Still now, the kings belonging to the north Kosala add the word 'Kakutsa' at the end of their names to reveal the eminence of their ancestors.Kakutsudu joined shoulder to shoulder, seated on Airavata, went on procession and adorned himself with the half throne of Indra. The supreme king Dileepa hailed, from the very dynasty. Dileepa performed 99 Aswamedha yagas. He stopped performing 100th Aswamedha yaga when Indra requested him that he would lose his post. During paths.the reign of Dileepa, the women were able to roam even at night time without fear. The poet describes wittily that when prostitutes were sleeping along the royaleven the wind was frightened to move their breast cloths.
Aja's Generosity: Raghuvu, the son of the king Dileepa is ruling over the kingdom now. He performed Viswajit yaga and gave all the wealth in charity acquired through conquering the four sides. The fame of the king Raghuvu spread in three worlds. It is immeasurable. The king Aja who is the son of Raghuvu is assisting his father in administration.
Aja's Perfect Character: Being born in such a great Surya dynasty, handsomeness youth, submissiveness with all these good qualities Aja is eligible and suits you perfectly. || When both your meeting happens, it is just like the gem studded in gold. Listening to Sunanda's words, Indumathi looked at Aja raising her head slowly.
Indumathi Laying Garland: Indumathi's looks attracted him like swayamvara gar land. But, out of shyness which is woman's natural tendency she could not express her desire. But, that desire was expressed with the sign of thrill. Then, Sunanda under stood her affection towards him, asked her jocularly, "Shall we move further!" Indumathi looked at her pretending to be angry. Then she laid the garland around the king Aja's neck. As the garland was not properly laid out of confusion, she madeSunanda correct it. That garland around Aja's neck seemed as if it is personified as Indumathi's affection. The garland intertwined with auspicious flowers reached onto the Aja's chest. With this, Aja too had the feeling that Indumathi embraced him with her hands.
The Opinion of Invitees of Swayamvara: The invitees of swayamvara appreciated that the pair was perfectly suitable like the meeting of the moon and the moonlight and the confluence of the sea and the Ganges. These words were unbearable to the other kings. Conclusion: Thus the kings separated themselves into two sides - those who appreciated the swayamvara took one side and those who opposed it took another side.
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