Cover for Black Marigolds
Title

Black Marigolds

Author
Bilhana Kavi
Translated by E. Powys Mathers
Details
2 chapters English Public domain
About this book

This is a versified translation of the Caurapañcāśikā. This love poem of fifty stanzas was written by the Kasmiri poet Bilhana Kavi in the 11th century. The story runs that the Brahman Bilhana had a clandestine love affair with Princess Yaminipurnatilaka, the daughter of King Madanabhirama. He was discovered and Bilhana wrote this poem in prison before he learned whether he would be executed or banished. The historic outcome is unknown, which adds to the readers' suspense.

Initially this poem was transmitted orally, and by the time it was written down, there several variations: the South Indian versions tend to have a happy ending, and the Northern, Kashmiri, recension has an open ending.

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Cover for Black Marigolds
Title

Black Marigolds

Author
Bilhana Kavi
Translated by E. Powys Mathers
Details
2 chapters English Public domain
About this book

This is a versified translation of the Caurapañcāśikā. This love poem of fifty stanzas was written by the Kasmiri poet Bilhana Kavi in the 11th century. The story runs that the Brahman Bilhana had a clandestine love affair with Princess Yaminipurnatilaka, the daughter of King Madanabhirama. He was discovered and Bilhana wrote this poem in prison before he learned whether he would be executed or banished. The historic outcome is unknown, which adds to the readers' suspense.

Initially this poem was transmitted orally, and by the time it was written down, there several variations: the South Indian versions tend to have a happy ending, and the Northern, Kashmiri, recension has an open ending.

Audiobook

Listen to this edition

Audiobooks are coming soon

Narrated editions will appear here when they are ready to listen.

Membership

Support the archive

$10 / month
Helps fund new texts & growth
Unlimited highlights & annotations
Unlimited bookmarks
Ad free reading experience
Early access to new features
Early access to quality TTS Audiobooks
Priority support & feature requests
4,000 Points monthly for Search usage
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Discussion

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Join conversations around this text and its interpretations.

Cover for Black Marigolds
Title

Black Marigolds

Author
Bilhana Kavi
Translated by E. Powys Mathers
Details
2 chapters English Public domain
About this book

This is a versified translation of the Caurapañcāśikā. This love poem of fifty stanzas was written by the Kasmiri poet Bilhana Kavi in the 11th century. The story runs that the Brahman Bilhana had a clandestine love affair with Princess Yaminipurnatilaka, the daughter of King Madanabhirama. He was discovered and Bilhana wrote this poem in prison before he learned whether he would be executed or banished. The historic outcome is unknown, which adds to the readers' suspense.

Initially this poem was transmitted orally, and by the time it was written down, there several variations: the South Indian versions tend to have a happy ending, and the Northern, Kashmiri, recension has an open ending.

Audiobook

Listen to this edition

Audiobooks are coming soon

Narrated editions will appear here when they are ready to listen.

Membership

Support the archive

$10 / month
Helps fund new texts & growth
Unlimited highlights & annotations
Unlimited bookmarks
Ad free reading experience
Early access to new features
Early access to quality TTS Audiobooks
Priority support & feature requests
4,000 Points monthly for Search usage
Access to point system rewards and value
Become a Member

Cancel anytime. Helps us pay the bills.

Discussion

Community conversation

Discussions are coming soon

Join conversations around this text and its interpretations.