Kumarasambhavam

Anyone interested in the Sanskrit language is sure to know the story of Kumarasambhavam. One of the gems of Sanskrit literature, Kumarasambhava poem is one of the greatest epic poems written by the famous poet Kalidasa. Both the names go hand in hand and the poem is often called Kumarasambhavam Kalidasa. Given here is a short summary of the Kumarasambhava, which basically talks about the birth of Kumara, the first son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

The poem has been divided into seventeen chapters and basically talks about the courtship of lord Shiva and Parvati. The majority of chapters have vast details about the love and romance between Shiva and Parvati. It is said that a powerful demon named Tarakasur was blessed that none except the child of Lord Shiva could kill him. However, Shiva had curtailed the desire for love by intense meditation. Due to the great efforts of Parvati and through much penance, she won the love of Lord Shiva.

After sometime, Shiva and Parvati were blessed with a son whom they named Karthikeya. He grew up and killed the demon and restored peace and the glory of Lord Indra and the divine world. Thus ends the beautiful Kumarasambhava written by Kalidasa. Regarded as one of the greatest literary works of all times, Kumarasambhava has paid attention to all minute details of a courtship between two people. Kalidasa left home to gain worldly knowledge and become more worthy. On his return, his wife asked, "Asti Kashchit Wagvisheshah", which means, "Have you attained any palpable knowledge that should make me give you a special welcome?". He gave her a fitting reply and over a period of few years, he wrote three great epics based on three letters spoken by his wife. From "Asti" he created "Kumarasambhava"; from "Kaschit" he wrote "Meghadutta" and from "Wagvisheshah" he wrote "Raghuvansha". Critics say that Kalidasa was cursed with leprosy when he wrote the eighth chapter and some other writer wrote the rest of the poem.