Invaluable to classical Sanskrit literature, Meghdoot (The Cloud Messenger) epitomizes the subliminal relationship between a man trapped in trying circumstances and nature. Kalidasa crafted the masterpiece on a mythological incident where Yaksha, a servant of Lord Kuber blessed with the boon of everlasting youth, gets entrammeled by the charms of his Yakshini and neglects his duty of plucking fresh flowers every morning for his masters religious chores. Enraged, Lord Kuber banishes Yaksha for a year to a hermits life in the jungle.
While loneliness forces Yaksha to look towards nature and its elements, changing seasons take a toll on his body and forlorn heart. Yaksha grows delirious and has started hallucinating. He has started perceiving human activity and reaction in all animated objects of nature suiting his surging emotions and projected images. He sees a friend in the tumbling dark clouds lumbering toward him who can travel great distances and may help carrying his yearnings to his beloved, pining away for him at home in Himalayan Alkanagri.
Mrityunjay’s unique perception and contemporary treatment of images of history and heritage presents a lyrical recipe of a mythical drama. Footnotes on mythical characters, symbols, and scriptural references make it all the more reader friendly.
