Kalidasa shines like the brightest star on the firmament of Indian literature. His works represent the true spirit of Indian culture. In the present work Meghaduta the author has tried to convey the true significance of the poet's words. It contains the translation in English and Hindi in prose form along with the original Sanskrit text. It also contains the Sanjivani of Mallinatha and the explanations of verses.
Dr. Mrs. Saroj Bharadwaj is Reader in the Deptt. of Sanskrit, Lady Shri Ram College for women, New Delhi, teaching since 1966. She did her M.A. from Miranda House, Delhi University, in the same year. Her thesis "The concept of Daiva in the Mahabharata" (1992) has been published in book-form by Nag Publishers Delhi. She has presented papers in several Seminars conducted by different colleges of Delhi University.
Prior to this book, she has translated the first Kavya of Kalidasa i.e. Rtusamharam. This book has been published by Indu Prakashan. She stays in the campus of Lady Shri Ram College for women and is devoted to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu).
The present edition of Meghaduta has been prepared with particular attention to the wants of university students; but at the same time it will serve as an interesting opening for a reader who wishes to enjoy blissfully the beauty of the language in Kalidasa’s poetry, Meghaduta is a unique lyrical production of the great poet Kalidasa. In the melody of expression, depth of ideas, it stands unparalleled in Kalidasa’s lyrical literature. This edition of Meghaduta has all the characteristics, which a general reader requires for the study of this work. It contains the famous Sanjivani of Mallinatha. It has an introduction acquainting the reader with the personal history, date and works of the poet as well as with the prominent characteristics of his poetry. It has a literal Hindi as well as English translation, which preserves the sanctity of the original and critical notes enlightening the reader with the particular features of this unparalleled lyrical piece.
This kavya not only depicts the beautiful scenes of nature, of emotions of love, it also mentions the rivers, mountains and certain places by name.
For publication or this book, I present my hearty thanks to Vidyanidhi Prakashan making it available to the lovers Kalidasa because without their efforts it would not have been possible.
The Sanskrit Khandakavya Kavya, according to Sanskrit scholars, is of two kinds; श्रव्य and दृश्य (dramatic compostion). Of these श्रव्य is either pure poetry or pure prose or चम्पू i.e. a mixture of the two because गद्यपद्यमयं काव्यं चम्पूरित्यभिधीयते. Pure poetry can either be Mahakavya or Khandakavya. Writers on rhetorics have defined a Khandakavya as a small poem, resembling a Mahakavya in some particular features i.e. काव्यस्यैकदेशानुसारि यद् Kalidasa’s Meghaduta and the Ritusamhara are kavyas of this Kind.
The Sanskrit lyric may be divided into two varieties depending on the subject it narrates, the religious (धार्मिक) and erotic (श्रृंगारिक). The numerous stotras represent the religious type of Khandakavya. The erotic lyric, which is more popular of the two, may be said to commence from the Ritusamhara and the Meghaduta of Kalidasa.
The prominent features of these short poems are nature and love, which are often blended together with great felicity and grace. Kalidasa is having fondness for mountains, plants and the animal world. Out of flowers lotus seems to be his favourite. Out of birds peacock seems to be his lover birds.
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