Part 8.12 - Characteristics of Śiśira-kāla (winter season)

The Śiśir-kāla comes after the Hemanta-kāla. In this time the nights being long and suitable for various kinds of amorous love-sport. No more grievance between hearts; understanding and intimate company bring more warmth than blanket. Cotton filled quilts are used for covering and lying on and coals and embers are used to heat all rooms. Only Kunda flowers flourish during this time while all others are destroyed. Fish take rest at the bottom level. The poor people are course in this time while rich persons are appreciating it very much. In the first half of day and the night fire seems to be pleasing like the anger of a now bride. Young couples lose in deep sleep and warmth embraced in this time.

In the works of Kālidāsa the description of Śiśira-kāla is very rare. He took up this and described its effects in entirely.

The feature of Śiśira is mostly same with Hemanta-kāla. In those both seasons Hemanta and Śiśira, life retires from cold world outside to the interior of the homes, the endless resources of women revealing their personal charms natural and decorated. In this time the lovers are eating, drinking, playing and relaxing together.

The smoke emanating from the burning of dried cow-dung and ghi (clarified butter) is seems the sweet like the wrath of a newly-wed bride.

C.f.

“abhinavavadhūroṣasvāduḥ karīṣatanūnapādasaralajanāśle ṣūkrarastuṣārasamīraṇaḥ |
galitavibhavasyāñjevādya dyuि tarmasṛṇā ravervirahivanitāvakraupamyaṃ bibhartti niśākaraḥ || ”

- Kāvyamīmāṃsā of Rājaśekhara: Ch-XVIII, Pp- 101

The heat of sun becomes useless like the orders given by a poor person and the moon appears sullied and dark like the face of a separated mistress.