Question

Which of the following topics/themes are found in Kalidasa's 'Kumarasambhava'?
A. Himalayavarnanam (Description of Himalayas)
B. Raivatakavarnanam (Description of Raivataka mountain)
C. Parvatitapasya (Penance of Parvati)
D. Hansavilapah (Lament of the swan)
E. Kumarasambhavah (Birth of Kumara)
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Only A, B and E
• B. Only A, D and E
• C. Only A, B and C
• D. Only A, C and E

Hint:

Remember the 'Vastu' (subject matter) of major epics.
Kumarasambhava $\rightarrow$ Shiva/Parvati/Birth of Kumara.
Kiratarjuniya $\rightarrow$ Shiva/Arjuna/Pasupata Weapon.
Shishupalavadha $\rightarrow$ Krishna/Shishupala/Raivataka Mountain.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
'Kumarasambhava' is one of the greatest Mahakavyas authored by Kalidasa. Its title literally means "The Birth of Kumara" (Kartikeya). The epic describes the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the eventual birth of their son to destroy the demon Taraka. To identify the themes, one must be familiar with the contents of the Sargas (cantos) of this epic.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each theme:

1. A. Himalayavarnanam: The epic opens with a majestic description of the Himalayas in the very first canto ("Astyuttarasyāṃ diśi devatātmā..."). Parvati is the daughter of Himavan, the king of the mountains. Thus, this is a central theme.

2. C. Parvatitapasya: In the fifth canto, Kalidasa describes the intense penance (Tapasya) undertaken by Parvati to win the heart of Lord Shiva. This is one of the most celebrated sections of the work.

3. E. Kumarasambhavah: This refers to the birth of Kumara (Kartikeya). While there is debate on the authenticity of later cantos, the traditional text concludes with the birth of the war-god as indicated by the title.

4. B. Raivatakavarnanam: The description of the Raivataka mountain is a famous part of Magha's 'Shishupalavadham' (Canto 4), not Kumarasambhava.

5. D. Hansavilapah: The "Lament of the Swan" or similar themes involving a swan messenger are part of the story of Nala and Damayanti in Sriharsha's 'Naishadhiyacharitam', not Kumarasambhava.

Thus, A, C, and E are the correct themes.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The description of the Himalayas, the penance of Parvati, and the birth of the hero are the core contents of Kumarasambhava. Hence, Option (D) is the correct answer.