The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa

Book Details
• Publisher: Sahitya Akademi
• Author: Rewa Prasada Dwivedi
• Language: Sanskrit
• Pages: 904
• Edition: 2017
• Cover: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788172015138
• Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm (9.00 x 6.00 inches)
• Weight: 1.26 kg

About the Book
This volume presents a critical edition of Raghuvamsa, the celebrated sargabandha mahakavya traditionally attributed to Kalidasa. Comprising 1557 verses across nineteen cantos, Raghuvamsa stands among the greatest achievements of classical Sanskrit poetry. After the Mahabharata, it is regarded as one of the earliest epics in which the art of poetic composition reached remarkable refinement and artistic maturity. The poem traces the lineage of the Raghu dynasty and portrays the rise and fall of human life, reflecting moral values, political ideals, and philosophical insight.

Raghuvamsa captures the paradoxes of human existence and presents a wide panorama of cultural and spiritual development. The epic emphasizes the transient nature of worldly pleasures and highlights the enduring reality of the immortal soul. Kalidasa’s poetic brilliance is evident in his balanced portrayal of royal life, domestic harmony, forest hermitages, and diverse social settings. His language reflects simplicity, elegance, and precision, combined with deep emotional resonance and philosophical depth.

This edition, prepared by Rewa Prasada Dwivedi, is based on eleven manuscripts and five earlier editions, offering a carefully established text for scholars and readers. The editor, an eminent Sanskrit scholar and poet, brings his expertise in textual criticism to this authoritative presentation. This comprehensive volume is valuable for students, researchers, and readers interested in classical Sanskrit literature and the enduring legacy of Kalidasa.