Meghadta

Meghadta is a Sanskrit lyrical poem written by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa. The work is renowned for its beauty, emotional depth, and imaginative narrative. It tells the story of a yaksha, a semi-divine being, who is banished from his lover for a year after failing to perform his duties. Exiled to the remote Ramagiri mountain, the yaksha is overwhelmed with longing for his beloved, who resides in the distant city of Alaka.

Unable to bear the separation any longer, the yaksha implores a passing cloud, laden with monsoon rains, to carry a message of his enduring love and plight to his distant wife. The poem then describes the cloud's journey, as it travels northwards across various landscapes, including rivers, forests, and cities. Along its path, the cloud witnesses the beauty of nature and the lives of people, all while carrying the yaksha's heartfelt message. The cloud's journey is depicted with vivid imagery and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Meghadta is divided into two parts: the Purva-megha (the first part) which describes the yaksha's exile and his request to the cloud, and the Uttara-megha (the latter part) which recounts the cloud's journey and the message delivered to the yaksha's beloved. The poem is celebrated for its masterful use of language, its exploration of themes of love, separation, and the solace found in nature, and its influence on subsequent Indian literature and art. It remains a classic of Sanskrit poetry, appreciated for its lyrical quality and romantic sensibility.