Kalidasa - S Radhakrishnan

Part II

In early Vedic literature, the unity of all life, animate and inanimate, is indicated and many of the Vedic deities are personifications of striking aspects of nature. The idea of retreat into nature, a mountain top or a forest hermitage, in search of the revelation of the spirit of the universe has been with us from early times. As human beings we have our roots in nature and participate in its life in many ways. The rhythm of night and day, changes of seasons suggest man’s changing moods, variety and capriciousness. Nature had not become mechanical and impersonal for Kalidasa. It had still its enchantment. His characters have a sensitive appreciation of plants and trees, of hills and rivers and a feeling of brotherhood for animals. We see in his writings flowers which bloom, birds which soar and animals which spring. We find a striking description of the love of the cow in Raghuvamsa. The Rtusamhara gives a moving account of the six seasons. It reveals not only Kalidasa’s vision of nature’s beauty but also an understanding of human moods and desires.

In Sakuntala when the curtain rises, Sakuntala and her two friends are seen watering the plants, creepers and trees of Kanva’s hermitage where the stars and colors in the sky, the pretty flowers and the lively animals are vital parts of human experience. Sakuntala does not look upon nurturing the plants as a drudgery but finds joy in it.

na kevalam tata-niyogah asti mamapi sodarasneha etesu.

—not merely because my father has ordered it, I also have fraternal affection for them.’

© "Living with a Purpose" by Dr. S Radhakrishnan, published by Orient Paperbacks (A Division of Vision Books (P) Limited) 24 Feroze Gandhi Road, Lajpat Nagar III, Kasnmere Gate, New Delhi 110 024. Part I of this article appeared in Splendour, July 2006 issue. Reprinted with permission.

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