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LITERARY EVALUATION
597
water. Helpless as birds without wings, they are pining for their sweet hearts (beloveds). The earth, a beautiful damsel clothed in bright watery garments is smiling in the blossoming Kuțaja flowers at the arrival of Daśanana
In the description of the rainy season in the Řtusamhara (2.1) Kālidāsa uses similar metaphors. The Rainy season is the king, the clouds the elephants and lighting the flags.
While describing gardens, forest and rivers the poet merely gives an exhaustive list of trees, plants, creepers, acquatic birds and animals without any poetic colouring (53.79; 46.73-76; 21.48-50, 42.6-10; 10.30-32; 34.32-33; 42.15-16; 16.46-47). However it shows that he was quite familiar with the proper names of the forest and animal wealth of the country.
In the description of morning (2,119), sunrise (15.83), evening 2.99-100, 70.49) etc., the poet follows a bookish and conventional method.
Physical Features:- In describing physical features of men and women the poet follows a conventional pattern. The similes and metaphors are mostly borrowed from books and the same epithets are frequently repeated in the same context (See 2.16-18; 11.105-107; 15.61-63; 14.94-98; 26.99-101).
Ceremonies, sports and Stutis: There are colourful flashes of the descriptions of 'svayamvara' ceremonies of Vidyadhari Srimāla (6.159175) and Sitā (28.105-122), the religious ceremonies of the worship of the Jinas (66.20-30; 3.87-92) and the sports of princes with the agitated elephants in rut (8.172-179; 8.217-223). But in all these cases there is a surface description. Howeve the 'stutis' addressed to the Jinas are captivating on account of their smooth and musical flow and inspired and elevated tone (1.1-8; 28.47-50).
Living Conditions:-At 31.42-47 it is very striking to note that the poet has brought out effectively the contrast between the living conditions of the rich and the poor. The rich people lead luxurious life living in magnificent palaces, clad in beautiful robes, feeding on delicious dishes, indulging in varied fleshy pleasures amidst damsels, music, dances and perfumeries. And on the other hand the indigent ones do not get even the bare necessities of life. In chilly winters their bodies are sore, their fattered clothes cannot keep off the cold, fire is their only rescue.
1. ससीकराम्भोधरमत्तकुजरस्तडित्पताकोऽशनिशब्दभर्दलः ।।
समागतो राजवदुद्धतद्युतिर्घनागमः कामिजनप्रियः प्रिये ।। ऋतुसंहार-२.१
