Kalidasa

The Kalidas Smarak at Ramtek

Kalidasa (Devanagari: कालिदास Kālidāsa) was a Sanskrit poet and dramatist, his title Kavikulaguru (Preceptor of All Poets) bearing testimony to his stature. Known to be an ardent worshipper of Shiva, he wrote his plays and poetry largely based around Hindu mythology and philosophy. His name means, literally, "Kali's servant." His life cannot be dated with precision, but most likely falls within the Gupta period, probably in the 4th or 5th century.

Quotes

• अनुभवति हि मूर्ध्ना पादपस्तीव्रमुष्णं ।
  शमयति परितापं छायया संश्रितानाम् ॥
  • The tree bears the intense heat on its head while it lessens the heat for those who take shelter under it.
    • Abhijñānaśākuntalam The Sign of Shakuntala

• स्रजमपि शिरस्यन्धः क्षिप्तं धुनोत्यहिशंकया
  • One who is blind throws away even a garland of flower placed on his head, thinking it is a snake.
    • Abhijñānaśākuntalam The Sign of Shakuntala

• न रत्नमन्विष्यति मृग्यते हि तत्
  • A jewel is sought after and has not to seek.
    • Kumārasambhava, Canto V, 45; translated by M. R. Kale

Quotes about Kalidasa

• Kalidasa, the immortal poet and playwright, is a peerless genius whose works have won world-wide fame. The matchless qualities of his work have been lavishly praised both by the ancient Indian critics and modern scholars. (...) In modern times the translations of Kalidasa's works in numerous Indian and foreign languages have spread his fame all over the world and now he ranks among the few topmost poets and playwrights of the world.
  • Kālidāsa: His Art and Culture by Ram Gopal (1984)