Meghaduta: A Poem of Love and Loss
Introduction Meghaduta, also known as The Cloud Messenger, is a long Sanskrit poem written by the Indian poet Kalidasa in the 5th or 6th century CE. It is considered one of the greatest works of Sanskrit literature and is still studied and appreciated today. The poem tells the story of an exiled yaksha (a benevolent nature spirit) who is pining for his beloved on a lonely mountain peak. When, at the beginning of a monsoon, a cloud perches on the peak, he asks it to deliver a message to his love in the Himalayan city of Alaka. The yaksha describes the cloud’s journey in vivid detail, from its origins in the ocean to its travels over the mountains and forests. He also tells his love of their shared memories and of his longing to be reunited with her. Meghaduta is a beautifully written poem that is full of imagery and emotion. It is a moving story of love, loss, and longing, and it has been enjoyed by readers for centuries. Author Kalidasa is one of the greatest poets of India. He lived