Saundarānanda-kāvya

poem by Aśvaghoṣa

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July 13, 2026

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The Saundarānanda-kāvya is a Sanskrit poem written by Ashvaghosha, a philosopher and poet from ancient India, likely born around 80 CE. Ashvaghosha is considered one of India's greatest poets and is credited with popularizing the kāvya style of Sanskrit poetry.12

The Saundarānanda-kāvya, meaning "Of Sundari and Nanda," recounts the story of Nanda, the Buddha's half-brother, who was deeply in love with his wife, Sundari. The poem details how the Buddha converted Nanda to a monastic life. Ashvaghosha's work is characterized by its elaborate use of literary devices, including metaphor and simile, and its careful attention to language and meter, anticipating later mahakavya (great poem) authors.23

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South Asian arts
Classical Sanskrit kāvya (200–1200)
…of the Buddha”) and the Saundarānanda (“Of Sundarī and Nanda”). Compared with later examples, they are fairly simple in style but reveal typical propensities of writers in this genre: a great predilection for descriptions of nature scenes, for grand spectacles, amorous episodes, and aphoristic observations. The resources of the Sanskrit…
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…of the Buddha”) and the Saundarānanda (“Of Sundarī and Nanda”). Compared with later examples, they are fairly simple in style but reveal typical propensities of writers in this genre: a great predilection for descriptions of nature scenes, for grand spectacles, amorous episodes, and aphoristic observations. The resources of the Sanskrit…
Read More