The Mangalastaka of Kālidāsa
By V. V. Gokhale
Summary
This article analyses the ‘mangalastaka’ (auspicious stanza) attributed to Kālidāsa. The author examines the verse’s meter, imagery and theological themes, noting how it invokes various deities to consecrate a work of poetry. Comparisons are drawn with other prefatory verses in Sanskrit literature, and the author discusses commentarial interpretations that link the stanza to Kālidāsa’s wider oeuvre. The essay also considers whether the mangalastaka is genuinely by Kālidāsa or a later attribution. Linguistic and stylistic features are assessed to argue for authenticity.
Conclusion
Through close reading, the article suggests that the mangalastaka exhibits stylistic hallmarks of Kālidāsa, though questions of attribution remain open. The stanza’s devotional tone reflects the importance of invoking auspiciousness at the start of literary compositions in Sanskrit tradition.