
The Birth of the War-God
by Kalidasa
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Birth of the War-God: A Poem by Kálidása" by Kālidāsa is an epic poem thought to have been composed in the 5th century. When the demon Taraka terrorizes the gods, only a son of Shiva can defeat him—but the ascetic god has withdrawn from the world. Parvati must win Shiva's love through intense penance while the gods desperately scheme to unite them. This classical Sanskrit work blends romance, divine drama, and heroic destiny as it chronicles the fateful birth of the war-god Kartikeya.
- Sanskrit poetry
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #31968. The Birth of the War-God on Wikipedia.


