G. A. Grierson — Some Further Notes on Kdliddsa. [No. 1, 



Some Further Notes on Kdllddsa. — By Geoege A. Grieeson, Esq., b. c. s. 



In the April number of the Indian Antiquary for 1878, there is an in- 

 teresting account of the traditions concerning Kalidasa current in Mysore. 



The tradition in Mithila, where I am at present, is somewhat different, 

 and it may not be out of place to mention what I have gathered concerning 

 Kalidasa in Bihar. 



It will be observed that the two legends coincide in describing Kalida- 

 sa as being ignorant in his youth, and as acquiring his unrivalled power 

 over the Sanskrit language by the special interposition of a deity. 



According to local tradition Kalidasa was born at Damodarpur, a village 

 near the town of Uchait, and situated within the confines of the Madhubanf 

 sub-division of the Darbhanga or Eastern Tirhut district. 



As narrated in the article above referred to, he was left an orphan at 

 an early age, and being destitute of means of support, he was, although a 

 Brahman, obliged to allow himself to be brought up amongst some low 

 caste tribes, who tended cattle. He grew up so stupid, that even amongst 

 his fellows he was considered little better than an idiot. 



Now, there was once on a time a Brahman, who lived in a certain city, 

 who had a daughter (name unknown), who was the most learned woman of 

 her age. She refused many advantageous offers of marriage, averring that 

 she would only wed a man more learned than herself. At length her father, 

 losing all patience, made a secret vow that he would marry her to the 

 stupidest Brahman he could find. So he went about searching for such a 

 man ; but could not find one, for ignorant Brahmans are rare in Mithila.* 

 At length one day, he was passing through Damodarpur, when he saw a boy, 

 dressed as a gowdld, sitting on the branch of a tree, and cutting the branch 

 at a part between himself and the trunk. The Brahman looked, and the 

 boy cut on and at last, when he had cut through the branch, fell to the 

 ground along with it. The boy got up, much hurt, and expressed won- 

 der at the result of his labour. The Brahman thought that if this boy 

 were only of his caste, he would be just the husband for his daughter. He 

 made enquiries and found that his name was Kalidasa, and that he was a 

 Brahman, who, being left destitute, was supported by the charity of the 

 Gowalas of Damodarpur. After inquiring as to his stupidity, and finding the 

 result of his inquiries satisfactory, the Brahman took Kalidasa to his home 



* So says the legend. I only wish that, at the present day, there was some truth 

 in the statement. The difficulty now is to find a Brahman, who can do anything hut 

 fight and bring false cases. Expcrto crecle ; Tirhutiya Brahmans arc the bane of a sub- 

 divisional officer's life. 



