Devendra Nath Tiwari

KĀLIDĀSA ON RELATION AND CONDUCT TO NATURE AS DEPICTED IN THE SIMILES OF RAGHUBAMŚAM

Introduction

KĀlidĀsa on relation and conduct to nature as depicted in the similes of raghubamŚam. Kālidāsa's Raghuvamśam explores ethical and spiritual conduct towards nature. Challenging modern utilitarianism, this paper advocates a venerable human-nature relationship for global well-being.

Abstract

In the present time of utilitarianism our strength of collecting more and more civilizational height and imperialistic power, ethical relativism, and pleasure-seeking ideologies that believe in minimizing human rationality and maximizing emotions and passions for maximizing pleasure are defining the rationality. Power of exploiting civilizational progress more and more has created restlessness and misbalance in human societies is keeping the humans engaged in enhancing balance sheets even at the cost of lowering human existence and the values, The argument of Ethical perspective we are discussing here in this paper with reference to Kālidāsa’s famous epic Raghuvamśam is that human rationality cannot be defined in terms of imperialistic power of a man or a nation but with our venerable conduct to the global communities. All richness of wealth and qualities meant for helping others. The term ‘other’ in broader sense is used for nature/environment outside responding to human nature inside. Defining the ethical relation and conduct that exist between man and nature, Kālidāsa establishes a spiritual perspective for which all have existence value that is, all are divinities. Nature responds and shares our conduct to it and our conduct to the other must be venerable for our well-being.

Review

This paper proposes a timely and relevant exploration of the human-nature relationship through the lens of Kālidāsa's *Raghuvamśam*. In an era grappling with the consequences of unchecked utilitarianism, imperialistic expansion, and environmental degradation, the author seeks to redefine human rationality not by material accumulation or power, but by a venerable conduct towards global communities and, crucially, nature. The abstract effectively sets the stage by contrasting prevailing pleasure-seeking and exploitative ideologies with a perspective rooted in classical Indian thought, asserting that all entities, including nature, possess an inherent existence value and spiritual divinity, thus necessitating respectful interaction for human well-being. The core strength of this research appears to lie in its ambitious endeavor to extract a holistic ethical framework from ancient literature to address contemporary crises. By focusing on Kālidāsa's similes, the paper aims to uncover how these literary devices *depict* and *establish* a spiritual and ethical relationship between humanity and the environment. This approach offers a potentially fresh and profound counter-narrative to modern anthropocentric viewpoints, emphasizing interconnectedness and reciprocal respect. The argument that nature responds to human conduct and that all beings are 'divinities' suggests a deeply spiritual and ecological perspective that could significantly enrich discussions on environmental ethics. While the abstract presents a compelling overarching argument, a more detailed articulation of the methodological approach would strengthen its initial impression. Specifically, it would be beneficial to understand *how* the analysis of similes in *Raghuvamśam* concretely substantiates the claims about "minimizing human rationality and maximizing emotions and passions" or how Kālidāsa's work *establishes* a spiritual perspective through these literary forms. A precise elucidation of how these specific poetic devices demonstrate an ethical conduct, rather than merely describe natural elements, will be crucial. Further, defining the scope of "ethical relativism" and "pleasure-seeking ideologies" the paper critiques, beyond broad generalizations, would ensure the analysis is grounded and robust.

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