जय श्रीराम!
Notes: Kālidāsa's poetry is like Italian coffee, Lavazza Espresso, with the maximum flavour and punch even when consumed in the smallest quantity. So here, he touches upon the evocative story of Śrīrāma, together with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, visiting the great sage Atri and his famous wife, Anasūyā. This couple had indeed parented Brahma, Viṣṇu and Śiva who were born to them as Candra, Dattareya and Durvāsā respectively!
Whereas Atri sat down with the two brothers to counsel them on the role of Destiny and how they should bear their hardships with fortitude, Anasūyā, keenly insightful towards the travails of Sītā condemned to suffer the venom of Kaikeyī, consoled her, counselled her, blessed her, and gave her divine clothes, ornaments and perfumes. She made Sītā deck herself up before leaving.
Here, our dear Kālidāsa remarks, 'Wearing the divine perfumes and unguents bestowed by Satī Anasūyā, Sītā then spread in the forest her divine perfume such that the bees left their usual hangouts amongst forest flowers and headed to her, fascinated by her ethereal fragrance!"
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जय श्रीराम!
