From Fool to Immortal Poet: The Journey of Kalidasa

"Oh, dim-witted man, did you not feel anything when you wished to marry a learned princess?"

A newlywed scholarly princess, upon realizing that her husband was a foolish man, was condemning him and his lack of intelligence.

"Where is my radiant intellect, and where is your stone-like mind? To live a married life, you need to have some qualities. How can I tolerate a man with a 'stone-like' intellect like yours? Is there any virtue in you that would make me stay with you?... 'Is there any special gift of speech (Asti Kaschit Vagvisheshah)?'"

Saying this, she expelled him from the royal palace. As the foolish man left the palace, he was consumed by thoughts of the humiliation he had faced.

Only the words 'Asti Kaschit Vagvisheshah?' echoed in his ears. He began repeating these words aloud to himself, questioning, "Do you have even a single virtue?"

"Enough is enough!" he declared, resolving in his mind that even though people mocked him today and questioned 'Asti Kaschit Vagvisheshah?', he would prove in the future that he was not a fool. His scholarship would make his name immortal. With this determination, he set out to pursue knowledge.

Feeling insulted by his wife’s words, he took the path to the forest, where he prayed and performed penance to Goddess Kali, receiving her divine boon. Upon returning, as a response to his wife’s question, he composed literary works beginning with the three words: Asti, Kaschit, and Vag.

From Asti:

"There exists in the northern direction the divine-souled Himalaya, the king of mountains, standing like the measuring rod of the earth, diving into the eastern and western oceans." — Kumarasambhava

From Kaschit:

"Some lover, negligent in his duties due to the heavy pain of separation from his beloved, was cursed to lose his glory for a year." — Meghaduta

From Vag:

"I salute Parvati and Lord Shiva, the parents of the universe, united like word and meaning, for the attainment of eloquent expression." — RaghuvamshaThis dim-witted man later became renowned in the future as the great poet—Kalidasa.

Due to these magnificent creations, Kalidasa is also recognized as a universal poet. The Western poet Goethe translated Shakuntala into German. Goethe said that if one wishes to experience the essence of heaven and earth, they should read Shakuntala.

"Among poems, the drama is delightful, and among dramas, Shakuntala is exquisite. In it, the fourth act is exceptional, and within that, the four verses are sublime."

What is so special about Shakuntala? It describes Indian culture and the influential tradition of the Gurukul system, where even a king must heed the advice of students, reflecting the freedom of the educational system.

Kalidasa beautifully depicts Shakuntala, who lived in the forest, describing her connection with wild animals, creatures, and plants.

Shakuntala says to the forest creatures, "I have a heartfelt affection for them."

Reading this, one feels, "Where are we, with our mechanical emotions, and where is the sensitive Shakuntala?"

Kalidasa portrays sensitive emotions through the character of Sage Kanva during Shakuntala’s departure. The sage is restless and, while bidding farewell to the animals, creepers, and trees of the ashram, says, "If a detached person like me feels sorrow, what must ordinary people feel?"Raghuvamsha is a great work that offers a glimpse of Indian culture. Despite the Kshatriya tradition and vast empire of the Raghu dynasty, the humble nature of each Raghu king reflects the ideal tradition of Indian royalty. Be it the episode of King Dilip serving Nandini or Raghu’s promise to Kautsa, these incidents highlight the cultural ethos.

A king willing to give his life for Nandini, or Kautsa, so noble that he takes only what he needs from the shower of coins offered by Kubera and refuses to take more for the royal treasury—what selflessness, disciplined mind, and what kind of education and societal system must have shaped such values!"Kalidasa’s similes..."

Whether it is the description of kings during Indumati’s swayamvara, the simile of Parvati and Shiva, or the comparison of the Raghu dynasty with the brilliance of the sun, Kalidasa’s numerous beautiful similes enhance the charm of his poetry. Despite such remarkable writing, while composing Raghuvamsha, Kalidasa humbly says, "I, a dull poet, aspire for fame..." This is an example of his intellectual humility.There is another legend about Kalidasa’s greatness. Once, a dispute arose between Dandi and Kalidasa over who was the greater poet. To settle it, they approached Goddess Saraswati. The goddess ruled in favor of Dandi. Angered, Kalidasa asked, "Then who am I?" Saraswati smiled and said, "You are my very form."It is also said of Kalidasa that when the greatest Sanskrit poets were counted, the count began and ended with Kalidasa.

"When poets were counted, Kalidasa was placed on the little finger; yet, as no poet equal to him has emerged, the ring finger remains true to its name."Thus, the great poet Kalidasa remains immortal through his timeless literature, for—

"Victorious are those accomplished poets, perfected in the art of rasa, whose fame in their works knows no fear of decay or death."