पृष्ठम्:कालिदाससूक्तिमञ्जूषा.djvu/११

(2) peare. In this short preface, it is not my purpose to dwell upon his poetic genius which brought Sanskrit Poetry to the highest elegance and refinement, or upon his pure and chaste style o upon the unaffected simplicity of his expressions Suffice it to say that Kalidasa excels all others: Sanskrit poets in his description of the sublime and the beautiful. In this book, a modest attempt is made to present to the readers some of the beauties from the works of Kalidasa so that those who have not got the leisure or patience to study all his works, may get a glimpse of the Poet's genius. It is a standing reproach to our Indian Sanskrit scholars that they have not done justice to the greatest poet of their country. The labours of this writer in publishing these beauties or gems from the works of Kalidasa will be amply repaid if some Indian scholars come forward to give the result of their critical study about the works of Kalidasa as Henry Morley: Dowden, Gervinus, Moulton & others have done in respect of Shakespeare. The personal history of Kâlidâsa, the national and immortal Poet of India-is shrouded Date & Life in an impenetrable mist of obscu- of Kalidasa. rity. Great uncertainty prevails as regards the age, in which he lived and the place where he was born and bred. This is due to the fact that India is wanting in chro- nology. The absence of historic faculty is a serious defect in our national character. Through the influence and inspiration. of Western education and