Fixing Up of Some Variants from Kalidasa
By Tapasvi Shambhuchandra Nandi
Summary
T. S. Nandi addresses the textual transmission of Kālidāsa’s works, arguing that many modern editions overlook valuable evidence from traditional Sanskrit grammarians and lexicographers. The article notes that this is the third in a series of studies aimed at proposing more accurate readings for passages in plays and poems such as Śākuntala and Meghadūta. Nandi criticises earlier editors, including S. K. Belvalkar, for relying solely on manuscript collation without consulting treatises like Hemacandra’s lexicon and works on metrics. By examining specific contested readings, the author demonstrates how grammatical treatises and commentaries preserve archaic usages that clarify Kālidāsa’s intent. The article presents side‑by‑side comparisons of variant readings, evaluates their metrical and semantic suitability, and argues for emendations grounded in the broader Sanskrit tradition. Through this philological approach, Nandi not only corrects individual passages but also highlights methodological issues in textual scholarship on classical Indian literature.
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Conclusion
Nandi concludes that responsible editing of Kālidāsa’s texts requires engagement with indigenous grammatical sources and a willingness to revise received readings. Incorporating insights from works like Hemacandra’s lexicon can yield more authentic versions of the poet’s verses and prevent the perpetuation of errors in modern editions.