Guest Column - A Flower & A Story - G. M. K. Sarma

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Flower

Yesterday, a flower plant in our garden bloomed its first flower.  It looks as if a small flower has grown inside another larger one.   

I was immediately reminded of a poem composed in two parts by Bhoja Raja and Kalidasa.

Thereby hangs an interesting story too about this poem.

The Poem

The first part is by Bhoja Raja and is as follows:

Kusume Kusumotpathihi

Shruyate Natu Drushyate !

Meaning: I have heard that a flower can grow inside another flower but never seen such a thing.

The last two lines made up by Kalidasa are as follows:

Baale, Tava Mukhaambhoje

Drushtam Indivara Dwayam!

Meaning: O, my lady,  in your lotus-like face I am seeing two lily-like eyes.

The Story

 Kalidasa was poet-laurate at the court of Bhoja Raja and was well respected by all including the King.  However, at one time he fell foul of the king and was banished from the kingdom. But Kalidasa just hid himself in the house of the court danseuse. 

Soon the king started feeling the absence of the poet and wanted to trace him back. So, he announced that anyone who could fill up the first part of his own poem, (Kusume   …. Drushyate) would be amply rewarded. He knew that only Kalidasa could do the job. The court dancer heard the announcement and asked Kalidasa to complete the last two lines.

Kalidasa of course did not know anything about the King’s  announcement and thought that the lady was asking on her own. Without hesitation, he recited the last two lines. (Baale  ...  Dwayam) 

The lady, being greedy, wanted the king’s reward for herself. So she went to the court and recited the poet’s lines making one change. That was to replace the word “Baale”(O, Lady) with “Raaje”(O, King).

 Now comes the twist in the tale ! 

Little did this woman know that as per Sanskrit grammar, it should be “Raajan” and not “Raaje”.  She was caught and revealed the hideout of the Poet and Kalidasa had a triumphant return to the King’s court.

Tailpiece

What Kalidasa figuratively said was factually revealed to me by my garden plant !

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