जूही, यूथिका — Juhi, Yūthikā
Sanskrit verse in Devanagari
पूर्वमेघः — श्लोक 23
Transliteration
viśrāntaḥ san vraja vananadī-tīrajātāni siñcan
udyānānāṃ navajala-kaṇair yūthikā-jālakāni |
gaṇḍa-svedāpanayana-rujā-klānta-karṇotpalānāṃ
chāyādānāt kṣaṇa-paricitaḥ puṣpalāvī-mukhānām || 1.26 ||
Plant part in the verse
उद्यानानां नवजल-कणैर्यूथिका-जालकानि
उद्यानानाम् — of the gardens
नवजल-कणैः — with fresh drops of rainwater
यूथिका-जालकानि — the lattices, bowers, or net-like clusters of yūthikā creepers
Meaning:
“Sprinkling the garden-bowers of Yūthikā with fresh drops of rainwater.” Kālidāsa imagines the cloud passing through garden spaces where Yūthikā creepers form delicate floral networks. The cloud’s fresh rain revives the flowers, while its shade comforts women tired from gathering blossoms.
English translation
After resting, move onward, sprinkling with fresh rain-drops the Yūthikā bowers growing in the gardens on the banks of forest rivers. By giving shade, you will become briefly familiar with the faces of flower-gathering women, whose ear-lotuses have grown weary from the effort of wiping sweat from their cheeks.
Literary meaning
Kālidāsa presents a tender garden scene:
the cloud has rested and begins moving again;
forest-river gardens are refreshed by new rain;
Yūthikā creepers receive cool droplets;
women are gathering flowers;
their cheeks are warm with sweat;
their lotus-ear ornaments are tired from being used to wipe perspiration;
the cloud gives shade and becomes momentarily intimate with their faces.
This is not only a plant reference. It is a complete scene of rain, fragrance, garden labour, feminine beauty, and cooling shade.
Why did Kālidāsa select Kewada?
1. It is a garden creeper, not just a wild plant
Kālidāsa chooses Yūthikā in a cultivated garden setting. The expression उद्यानानां यूथिका-जालकानि makes it a plant of designed spaces, bowers, and floral lattices.
2. Its fragrance suits the emotional mood
The Meghadūta is a poem of longing. A fragrant jasmine intensifies the atmosphere of memory, beauty, intimacy, and love.
3. It allows interaction between cloud and women
The cloud does not only water the land. Here it gives shade to women gathering flowers. Yūthikā becomes the reason for a moment of gentle human contact.
4. It responds beautifully to fresh rain
The phrase नवजल-कणैः shows the plant being sprinkled with fresh droplets. White jasmine flowers under rain are visually and sensorially powerful: cool water, green foliage, white flowers, and fragrance.
5. It creates a bower image
The word जालकानि suggests a mesh, lattice, or network. Yūthikā is therefore ideal because it can be trained over a support, forming a real garden bower.
6. It connects labour and beauty
The women are not merely decorative figures. They are पुष्पलावी—flower gatherers. Kālidāsa shows the human effort behind garlands, perfume, worship, and ornament.
7. It supports Śṛṅgāra rasa
white flowers;
fragrance;
softness;
rain freshness;
women’s adornment;
cool shade;
garden intimacy.
