Kumarasambhava

The God of War is Born

Kumarasambhava, Kalidasa's second epic poem, is often regarded as his finest work and a defining example of kavya poetry. The style it used to express spring would go on to dominate nature metaphors in Indian literature for ages to come. This work translates select cantos from the original poem that narrates and celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the birth of their son Kumara or Kartikeya, and concludes with the slaying of Taraka.