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कान्तां क्वापि विलम्बिनीं कलरुतैराहूय भूयस्
ततो दिग्भागानवलोक्य रङ्गवसुधामुत्सृज्य पद्भ्यां ततः।
एष स्फारमृदङ्गनादमधुरैरम्भोमुचामारवैर्
बर्हश्रेणिकृतातपत्ररचनो हृष्टः शिखी नृत्यति॥

The peacock joyfully dances, mistaking the returning wind for his beloved. His excitement is expressed through vibrant movement and spreading feathers...

peacock (45) longing (690) wind (88) dance (75) nature (950) love (1567) excitement (9) mistaken identity (6) metaphor (1632) nature-romance parallel (1)

कान्तां दृष्ट्वा चरणयुगलक्षालनाय प्रवृत्ताम्
अस्मिन् राष्ट्रे श्रियमिति वचः पापठीति प्रयत्नात्।
देवस्य त्वेति च पुनरसौ वीटिकायाः प्रदाने जामाता
ते जडमतिरयं छान्दसः किं करोमि॥

When a poet proclaims the arrival of Lakshmi, another mocks his ignorance: it’s merely the bride’s feet being washed in marriage — not divine grace.

satire (211) marriage (104) bride (25) sarcasm (74) lakshmi (64) misunderstanding (41) wordplay (33) poetry (588) wit (31) mockery (46)

कान्तां हित्वा विरहविधुरारम्भखेदालसाङ्गीं
मामुल्लङ्घ्य व्रजतु पथिकः कोऽपि यद्यस्ति शक्तिः।
इत्याशोकी जगति सकले वल्लरी चोरिकेव प्राप्तारम्मे
कुसुमसमये कामदेवेन दत्ता॥

Ashoka tree laments its longing and imagines its flowers as a gift from Kama — having failed in love and burned by separation.

longing (690) ashoka tree (4) viraha (18) separation (258) flowers (85) love-gift (1) lament (41) burning pain (1) metaphor (1632) emotion (652)

कान्ताः किं न शशाङ्ककान्तिधवलाः सौधालयाः कस्यचित्
काञ्चीदामविराजितोरुजघना सेव्या न किं कामिनी।
किं वा श्रोत्ररसायनं सुखकरं श्रव्यं न गीतादिकं विश्वं
किन्तु विलोक्य मारुतचलं सन्तस्तपः कुर्वते॥

Despite all the beauty in the world — radiant women, sweet music — the wise renounce it, pursuing truth beyond fleeting pleasure. A contrast of desire...

beauty (1797) renunciation (267) asceticism (87) music (96) desire (898) women (268) moonlight (152) contemplation (25) contrast (206) wisdom (1611)

कान्ताकटाक्षविशिखा न खनन्ति
यस्य चित्तं न निर्दहति कोपकृशानुतापः।
कर्षन्ति भूरिविषयाश्च न लोभपाशा लोकत्रयं
जयति कृत्स्नमिदं स धीरः॥

He whose mind isn’t pierced by beauty, anger, or greed, conquers the entire world. A strong praise of self-mastery and inner fortitude.

self-control (91) fortitude (10) beauty (1797) anger (185) greed (141) mind (176) conquest (55) spiritual victory (2) stoicism (18) dhīra (2)

कान्ता कर्षणलोलकेरलवधूधम्मिल्लमल्लीरजश्-
चौराश्चोडनितम्बिनीस्तनतटे निष्पन्दतामागताः।
रेवाशीकरधारिणोऽन्ध्रमुरलस्त्रीमानमुद्राभि दो वाता
वान्ति नवीनकोकिलवघूहूंकारवाचालिताः॥

A vivid sensory poem depicting the Kerala breeze carrying the fragrance of women’s ornaments, mixed with peacock calls and river spray — sensuality in...

kerala (1) fragrance (199) breeze (68) ornament (58) sensuality (306) river (88) music (96) peacock (45) nature (950) women (268)

कान्ताकेलिं कलयतु तरुः कोऽपि कश्चित्
प्रभूणाम् अत्यानन्दं जनयतु फलैः कोऽपि लोकान् धिनोतु।
धन्यं मन्ये मलयजमहो यः प्रभूतोपतापं संसारस्य
द्रुतमपनयत्यात्मदेहव्ययेन॥

Sandalwood, though hurt by cutting, gives its fragrance. This is true nobility — sacrificing for others’ joy, even in suffering.

self-sacrifice (5) sandalwood (48) fragrance (199) nobility (253) giving (75) spiritual metaphor (9) tree (45) virtue (726) poetic moral (1) devotion (933)

कान्ताकेलिमयोपि भूतकरुणाशान्तोऽप्यसौ
संयमी क्रीडारूढसमाधिभङ्गविकटभ्रूभङ्गभीमाननः।
दृष्ट्वाकृष्टशरासनं यदकरोत् क्रुद्धः पिनाकी स्मरं
त्वामप्यद्य दृशा तदेव कुरुते क्रोधादयं कौशिकः॥

Though Shiva is compassionate, when disturbed from love-play, he burns Cupid. So too, sage Vishwamitra—once calm—now glares furiously. A warning about...

passion (501) destruction (292) anger (185) vishwamitra (1) shiva (328) meditation (82) disturbance (14) metaphor (1632) wrath (27) restraint (226)

कान्ता चन्द्रोदयो वीणापञ्चमध्वनिरित्यमी।
ये नन्दयन्ति सुखितान् दुःखितान् व्यथयन्ति ते॥

That which delights the happy may torture the sorrowful — like moonrise or music. Beauty is not always joy; it can be pain too.

duality (134) emotion (652) moonrise (28) music (96) sorrow (325) happiness (65) beauty (1797) contrast (206) mood (10) philosophy (290)

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