Kumārasambhava


Kumārasaṃbhavam is an epic poem by Kālidāsa. It is widely regarded as one of Kālidāsa's finest works, a paradigmatic example of kāvya poetry. The style of description of spring set the standard for nature metaphors pervading many centuries of Indian literary tradition. Kumārasaṃbhavam basically talks about the birth of Kumara, the son of Shiva and Parvati. The period of composition is uncertain, although Kālidāsa is thought to have lived in the 5th century.

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Kumārasambhava literally means "The Birth of Kumāra". This epic of seventeen cantos entails Sringara rasa, the rasa of love, romance, and eroticism, more than Vira rasa. Tārakāsura, a rakshasa was blessed that he could be killed by none other than Shiva's son, however, Shiva had won over Kama, the god of love. Parvati performed great tapas to win the love of Shiva. Consequently, Shiva and Parvati's son Kartikeya was born to restore the glory of Indra, king of the Gods.