Description

Long considered as Kalidasa s greatest work Raghuvamsam is an epic poem in classical Sanskrit. It recounts the legendary tales of the Raghu dynasty whose scions include Rama the hero of the Ramayana. In this majestic mahakavya Kalidasa invokes the whole gamut of literary flavours ranging from the erotic and the heroic to the tragic horrific and peaceful. The forbears and t Long considered as Kalidasa s greatest work Raghuvamsam is an epic poem in classical Sanskrit. It recounts the legendary tales of the Raghu dynasty whose scions include Rama the hero of the Ramayana. In this majestic mahakavya Kalidasa invokes the whole gamut of literary flavours ranging from the erotic and the heroic to the tragic horrific and peaceful. The forbears and the descendants of Rama are all brought to life. Within these pages we see the ideal couple Dilipa and Sudakshina their son Raghu s valour and generosity the tragic love of Aja and Indumati the travails of Dasaratha the feats of Kusha and Atithi and finally the dynasty s downfall with Sudarshana and Agnivarna. Composed in nineteen cantos this mesmerizing lyrical and very accessible new translation of Raghuvamsam will continue to enthrall readers with its insights into ancient India its land people and seasons and its social and cultural values that are still relevant today. About the AuthorKalidasa perhaps the most extraordinary of India s classical poets composed seven major works three plays two epic poems and two lyric poems. One the nine jewels in the court of the Gupta king Chandragupta II Kalidasa s popularity has endured for centuries. A.N.D Haksar is a well-known translator of Sanskrit classics. His translations include Tales of the Ten Princes Hitopadesa Simhasana Dvatrimsika Subhashitavali Kama Sutra The Courtesan s Keeper The Seduction of Shiva and Suleiman Charitra all published as Penguin Classics. He has also compiled A Treasury of Sanskrit Poetry recently translated into Arabic as Khazana al-Shair al- Sanskriti.

Long considered as Kalidasa s greatest work Raghuvamsam is an epic poem in classical Sanskrit. It recounts the legendary tales of the Raghu dynasty whose scions include Rama the hero of the Ramayana. In this majestic mahakavya Kalidasa invokes the whole gamut of literary flavours ranging from the erotic and the heroic to the tragic horrific and peaceful. The forbears and t Long considered as Kalidasa s greatest work Raghuvamsam is an epic poem in classical Sanskrit. It recounts the legendary tales of the Raghu dynasty whose scions include Rama the hero of the Ramayana. In this majestic mahakavya Kalidasa...  Read More