Meghadootha in Saundarya Lahari

Geo Travel amidst the many Poetic Splendors.. Checking Out

When I was chanting Saundarya Lahari for the first time, I was unaware of the diction and the meanings. Was trying to catch up with the words and the chant. Inadvertently the ear catches something familiar.

There seemed to be an element of Northward travel just like in Meghadootha. avanti, ayodhya, skanda, krauncha, saraswat, ganga, yamuna, himalayas, mandaara, swans. And mention of Dravida putra and kalindi.

The flowers of Meghadootha -Japa, kurabaka, and kunda.

It felt perhaps another feather and prayoga of the poetic Shankara.

And both Kalidasa and Shankara had poured their love for Bhavani and Shiva in the poems. Both works composed in the wave-like meter pattern of 17 syllables of ‘slow and fast’ sounds. About 100 lines of ode each. Maybe there are layers of mysteries hidden in the lines.

Sep 2025, TIL, the verse has plurality of meanings.. Of her eyes, qualities and of cities if you aspire to travel. she is with you!

vishala {badrinath/large}
Kalyan {bombay/auspicious}
vijaya {kurukshetra/victory}
dhara {Capital of Raja Bhoj, compassion}
madura {madurai/sweet}
Ayodhya {not deflatable}
Avanti {Ujjain/protected}
Bhogavati {gujarat/ giver of pleasures}

egayatri.blogspot.com, verse 49