Kumārasambhava (Sanskrit: कुमारसम्भव, IAST: Kumāra-sambhava) is a Sanskrit epic poem by Kālidāsa; the first eight cantos (sargas) are accepted as his authorship [1], the last nine may be later additions. The period of composition is uncertain, Kalidasa is thought of as having lived in the 5th c. AD.
Kumarsambhava is widely regarded as one of Kalidasa's finest works, a paradigmatic example of Kāvya poetry. The style of description of spring set the standard for nature metaphors pervading many centuries of Indian literary tradition[2].
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Kumārasambhava literally means "Birth of Kumara", i.e. Kartikeya. This epic of seventeen cantos entails Shringara Rasa, the rasa of love, romance, and eroticism, more than Vira rasa (the rasa of heroism). Tarakasur, a rakshasha (or demon) was blessed that he could be killed by none other than Lord Shiva's son, however, Shiva had won over Kama-deva (the god of love). Parvati performed great tapasya (or spiritual penance) to win the love of Lord Shiva. Consequently, Shiva and Parvati's son Kartikeya is born and kills Tarakasur to restore the glory of Indra, the king of Gods.
According to indian tradition, Kālidāsa had left his home in pursuit of knowledge and to become worthy of his intellectual wife Vidyottama (lit. "epitome of erudition"). When he returned from this conquest, his wife asked, "asti kashchit vaagvisheShaH (अस्ति कश्चित् वाग्विशेषः)" ("Is there any erudition [which should prompt me to extend a special welcome to you]?") Kālidāsa impressed his wife with the answer she expected and over the next few years created three great epics, each beginning with one of the three words uttered by his wife: 'asti' - Kumarasambhava, 'kashchit' - Meghaduta, and 'vaak' - Raghuvamsha.
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