(fifth century?) He
is widely regarded as the greatest Sanskrit writer, known for his knowledge of
the language as well as his ability to elicit lyrical feeling (rasa) in his
listeners.
There is little definitive information concerning Kalidasa's
life; even his birth and death dates have been disputed.
Kalidasa was an ignorant rural kid, according to folklore.
He was portrayed as a suitor for an educated princess who
had promised to marry only a man who could beat her in a silent argument—that
is, a discussion in which gestures were used instead of words—as a joke.
Through happenstance and mutual misinterpretation, Kalidasa
"defeated" the princess and married her.
When the princess discovered Kalidasa's illiteracy, she
kicked him out of the home and told him he couldn't come back until he was
educated.
In despair, he went to a temple dedicated to the goddess
Kali and was ready to make a human sacrifice when Kali arrived and bestowed
complete knowledge of Sanskrit onto him.
"Have you achieved competence in [Sanskrit]
speech?" his wife is said to have questioned him upon his return.
"Asti kascit vagviseshatah?" says the narrator.
Kalidasa responded slowly, utilizing the three lines from
his wife's query as the initial words of his three greatest works:
Kumarasambhava, Meghaduta, and Raghuvamsha.
He's also the creator of the Abhijnanashakuntala,
Vikramorvashiya, and Malavikagnimitra tragedies.
These writings are said to have earned him the favour of
monarch Vikramaditya, whose court Kalidasa is typically connected with.
Kalidasa's extraordinary gift of learning is also said to
have caused his death, according to legend.
Kalidasa saw his wife as his guru or religious instructor
since she had sparked his interest in study.
He denied any sexual intercourse with her out of respect.
She cursed him to die at the hands of a woman, enraged at
his rejection.
A king created a line of poem many years later and gave a
great reward to the person who could write the finest finish.
While enjoying the company of a prostitute, Kalidasa learned
about the competition and simply produced the ideal finish.
The courtesan stabbed and murdered Kalidasa in her desire
for the reward.
Despite the fact that her crime was uncovered and she was punished, this narrative exemplifies Hindu belief in fate's inexorable force, especially when it is fueled by a curse.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
