कुमुद — Kumuda

Sanskrit verse in Devanagari

पूर्वमेघः — श्लोक 42

Transliteration 

gambhīrāyāḥ payasi saritaś cetasīva prasanne
chāyātmā’pi prakṛti-subhago lapsyate te praveśam |
tasmāt tasyāḥ kumuda-viśadāny arhasi tvaṃ na dhairyān-
moghīkartuṃ caṭula-śapharodvartana-prekṣitāni || 1.42 ||

Plant part in the verse

कुमुदविशदानि

कुमुद — white water lily / Kumuda
विशदानि — clear, bright, pure, white, shining

Meaning:
“Bright and white like Kumuda flowers.”

Expression	Botanical / poetic feature	Poetic role
कुमुद	White water lily	Cool white aquatic beauty
कुमुदविशदानि	Bright / white like Kumuda	Purity, moonlight, clarity
सरितः पयसि प्रसन्ने	Clear river water	Transparent mind of the river
छायात्मा	Cloud’s reflection	Lover entering the river’s heart
चटुल-शफर-उद्वर्तन	Restless fish movement	Moving sidelong glances
प्रेक्षितानि	Glances	River personified as woman

 English translation

  In the clear water of the deep river, as in a transparent mind, even your reflected form, naturally beautiful, will gain entrance. Therefore, do not, out of restraint, disappoint her bright Kumuda-like glances, made lively by the quick upward movements of small fish.

Literary meaning

Kālidāsa turns the river into a sentient woman. Her clear water becomes her mind; the cloud’s reflection enters it like a lover entering her heart. The small fish moving restlessly beneath the water become her flickering glances. The phrase कुमुदविशदानि gives those glances a cool, white, moonlit delicacy, like the white Kumuda flower.

Why did Kālidāsa select Kewada?

1. Because of its whiteness

    The word कुमुदविशदानि depends on the white, clear, shining quality of Kumuda. Kālidāsa needed a flower that immediately suggests purity and brightness.

2. Because it belongs to water

The whole verse is about the river’s clear water. Kumuda is an aquatic flower, so its image naturally belongs to the river setting.

3. Because it suits moonlit tenderness

Kumuda evokes coolness and night beauty. This fits the soft, intimate mood of the cloud entering the river’s clear water through its reflection.

4. Because it helps personify the river

The river is imagined as a woman whose glances are bright and attractive. Kumuda gives those glances a delicate floral comparison.

5. Because it combines fish, flower, and water

The verse brings together fish movement, clear water, cloud reflection, and Kumuda-like brightness. Kālidāsa selected Kumuda because it harmonises all these elements.

6. Because it supports Śṛṅgāra rasa

The cloud is advised not to ignore the river’s glances. Kumuda softens the erotic image, making it refined, cool, and poetic rather than direct.