Meghdutam

The provided text is a digitized version of the Meghaduta, a famous Sanskrit poem by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa, accompanied by three commentaries: Sanjivani by Mallinatha, Charitravardhini by Charitrawardhanacharya, and Bhava-prabodhini by Narayan Shastri Khiste. The catalog link confirms it's part of the Kashi Sanskrit Series.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the content presented, focusing on the Meghaduta's narrative and thematic elements as reflected in the commentaries:

Overall Narrative and Theme:

The Meghaduta is a lyrical poem that tells the story of a Yaksha, a celestial being, who has been banished from his home in Alaka to the forest of Ramagiri for a year due to negligence in his duties. He is cursed by his master, Kubera, and separated from his beloved wife. Missing his wife deeply, the Yaksha sees a cloud (Megha) passing by and decides to send a message through it to his beloved. The poem is divided into two parts: the Purva-megha (First Part), describing the Yaksha's plea to the cloud and the journey it should take to reach Alaka, and the Uttara-megha (Second Part), detailing the message itself and the beloved's state of longing.

Key Elements and Commentary Insights:

• The Yaksha's Plight: The commentaries highlight the Yaksha's separation from his wife, the pain of his exile, and his deep longing. His banishment is described as a consequence of "pramada" (negligence).
• The Role of the Cloud (Megha): The cloud becomes the central medium of communication. The commentators discuss the Yaksha's initial hesitation in entrusting his message to an inanimate object but emphasize his desperation and the cloud's capacity to travel vast distances. The cloud is personified as a messenger.
• The Journey: The Purva-megha meticulously describes the route the cloud should take from Ramagiri to Alaka. This includes descriptions of various geographical locations, cities, rivers, mountains, and natural phenomena. The commentaries often elaborate on these descriptions, providing cultural and geographical context.
  • Ramagiri: The Yaksha's initial exile location.
  • Vidisha: The city of the Avanti kingdom, associated with King Udayana and his beloved Vasavadatta.
  • Ujjain: A significant city on the route, known for its beauty and its people. The commentary highlights the influence of its festivals and the pleasing nature of its women and the city's atmosphere.
  • Narmada River: A prominent river on the journey, described with evocative imagery.
  • Vindhya Mountains: Mentioned as a geographical feature.
  • Ganges River: The sacred river that originates from the Himalayas and is described in its journey.
  • Himalayas: The abode of Shiva and the source of the Ganges.
  • Mount Kailasa: The celestial abode of Kubera and Shiva, the destination city of Alaka.
• The Message of Love: The Uttara-megha contains the Yaksha's intimate message to his wife. It expresses his enduring love, his suffering, and his hopes for their reunion. The message includes vivid descriptions of her beauty and the state of her longing, mirroring his own.
• Kalidasa's Poetic Skill: All three commentaries praise Kalidasa's mastery of language, his ability to evoke emotions, his keen observation of nature, and his deep understanding of human psychology. The commentaries explain the nuances of his verses, the use of metaphors, similes, and other poetic devices.
• The Nature of Love and Separation: The poem and its commentaries delve into the profound emotions of love, longing, separation, and the hope for reunion. The separation is presented as a test of love and endurance.
• The Role of the Commentaries:
  • Sanjivani (by Mallinatha): This is a highly regarded and comprehensive commentary, often considered the standard. It focuses on explaining the literal meaning, grammatical structures, and the intended poetic expressions.
  • Charitravardhini (by Charitrawardhanacharya): This commentary is noted for its insightful interpretations, often bringing out deeper philosophical or allegorical meanings. The text mentions Charitrawardhanacharya might have been of Jain persuasion.
  • Bhava-prabodhini (by Narayan Shastri Khiste): This commentary aims for clarity and accessibility, especially for students, explaining the essence and devotional aspects of the poem.

Specific Highlights from the Text (Illustrative):

• Verse 1: Introduces the Yaksha, his curse, and his dwelling place. The commentaries discuss the grammatical aspects and the context of the curse.
• Verse 2: Describes the Yaksha seeing the cloud on the first day of Ashadha.
• Verse 3: The Yaksha's internal contemplation and emotional turmoil upon seeing the cloud.
• Verse 4: The Yaksha's first words to the cloud, offering it flowers and welcoming it.
• Verse 5: The Yaksha acknowledges the cloud's composition and his own urgency, explaining his decision to use it as a messenger.
• Verse 6: The Yaksha addresses the cloud, acknowledging its lineage and power, and appealing to its noble nature.
• Verse 7: The Yaksha describes the cloud's role as a reliever of suffering and asks it to carry his message.
• Verse 8: The Yaksha predicts how the cloud will be observed by women on its journey.
• Verse 9: The Yaksha points out auspicious signs for the cloud's journey.
• Verse 10: The Yaksha assures the cloud that his wife, though separated, is still alive and waiting.
• Verse 11: The Yaksha mentions the king of birds (Hamsas) who will accompany the cloud.
• Verse 12: The Yaksha asks the cloud to take leave of the mountain, a friend of his.
• Verse 13: The Yaksha begins to describe the path, instructing the cloud on how to proceed.
• Verse 14: The cloud is advised to ascend towards the north, avoiding obstacles.
• Verse 15: The Yaksha describes the rainbow, comparing it to the peacock feather on Krishna's head.
• Verse 16: The cloud is advised to move across agricultural fields, where its rain is vital.
• Verse 17: The cloud is told how a mountain will welcome it, having been refreshed by its rain.
• Verse 18: The cloud is described as a beautiful sight on the mountain, like a goddess's breast.
• Verse 19: The cloud is instructed to rest momentarily in a forest grove before moving on.
• Verse 20: The cloud is advised to draw water from the Narmada, explaining its quality and the consequence of its rain.
• Verse 21: The Yaksha describes how various creatures (deer, elephants, cranes) will indicate the cloud's path by their reactions to its rain.
• Verse 22: The Yaksha expresses his impatience for the cloud to move swiftly, despite the beauty of its surroundings.
• Verse 23: The Yaksha describes the region of Dasharna, known for its migrating swans.
• Verse 24: The Yaksha instructs the cloud to visit the city of Vidisha on the Vetravati River.
• Verse 25: The cloud is advised to rest on the mountain named Nichaira, which is associated with sensuous activities.
• Verse 26: The cloud is instructed to sprinkle water on gardens and will be noticed by women picking flowers.
• Verse 27: The Yaksha advises the cloud to visit Ujjain, even if the path is circuitous, as it's a place of great beauty and cultural significance.
• Verse 28: The cloud is told to travel along the Narmada river, which will then lead to Ujjain.
• Verse 29: The Narmada river itself is described as suffering from separation.
• Verse 30: The Yaksha instructs the cloud to visit the beautiful city of Ujjain, which is like a fragment of heaven.
• Verse 31: The Yaksha describes the pleasant atmosphere of Ujjain, with its singing birds, pleasant breezes, and the general beauty of its women.
• Verse 32 & 33: Further descriptions of Ujjain's splendor, gardens, and religious sites like Mahakala.
• Verse 34: The Yaksha advises the cloud to wait at Mahakala temple during twilight.
• Verse 35: The Yaksha describes how the women of Ujjain will interact with the cloud, especially during the rainy season.
• Verse 36: The Yaksha advises the cloud on how to behave near the temple of Shiva, showing devotion.
• Verse 37: The Yaksha instructs the cloud on how to travel through the city at night, guiding women.
• Verse 38: The Yaksha advises the cloud to continue its journey the next morning, emphasizing the importance of friendship.
• Verse 39: The Yaksha describes his wife's sorrow and instructs the cloud to avoid disturbing her.
• Verse 40: The Yaksha describes his wife's state of grief and how she might be perceived by the cloud.
• Verse 41: The Yaksha laments his wife's suffering and her resemblance to a lotus affected by frost.
• Verse 42: The Yaksha describes how his wife's face, in his imagination, reflects his own suffering.
• Verse 43: The Yaksha explains his vision of his wife in a dream, and how her suffering is witnessed by celestial beings.
• Verse 44: The Yaksha advises the cloud on how to approach his wife, describing her appearance and her actions.
• Verse 45: The Yaksha instructs the cloud on how to make his wife understand his suffering through its own actions.
• Verse 46: The Yaksha reassures his wife that her suffering will not be endless and that their union will be restored.
• Verse 47: The Yaksha tells his wife that, after the curse ends, they will reunite in the autumn.
• Verse 48: The Yaksha conveys a message to his wife, asking her to remember his words and her own suffering.
• Verse 49: The Yaksha advises his wife not to be skeptical of his words and to trust his love.
• Verse 50: The Yaksha instructs the cloud on how to wake his wife gently and convey his message.
• Verse 51: The Yaksha asks the cloud if it will undertake this task, emphasizing the importance of helping friends.
• Verse 52: The Yaksha bids farewell to the cloud, hoping it will have a prosperous journey and not be separated from its own beloved (lightning).
• Verse 53: The cloud agrees to carry the message.
• Verse 54: Kubera, upon hearing the message, is moved and lifts the curse.

In essence, the text is a presentation of Kalidasa's Meghaduta with scholarly commentaries, offering a detailed poetic and cultural exploration of themes of love, separation, exile, and the beauty of nature, all conveyed through the innovative concept of a cloud messenger.