The Birth of the War-God: A Poem by Kálidása (ePub)

Kalidasa is one of the most eminent classical Sanskrit poets whose literary works have transcended time, earning him a revered place in Indian literature. There is little concrete historical data concerning his life, with accounts of him varying quite considerably. His period is also not precisely determined, with scholars suggesting dates that range from the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE. Despite these uncertainties, Kalidasa's work exhibits mastery of Sanskrit poetics and profound knowledge of Indian mythology and culture, placing him in the Gupta period, which is often referred to as the Golden Age of India. Among Kalidasa's surviving corpus, the epic poem 'The Birth of the War-God' (Kumarasambhava) stands out as a remarkable work that skilfully combines elaborate metaphor, rich descriptions of the natural world, and insights into human emotions. The poem narrates the story of the birth of Kartikeya, the god of war, to aid the gods in their battle against the demon Taraka. Renowned for his exquisite similes and metaphors, Kalidasa's poetry is characterized by his delicate portrayal of both the sensuous and the sublime. His work continues to be celebrated for its beauty, erudition, and the sophisticated interplay of the elements of nature and human emotion, influencing generations of writers and poets both within and beyond the boundaries of India.