Dandi , Kalidasa, Bhoja

We just mention some free slokas.. called Chaatu slokas..
for occasions to drive home certain points in Shastras and lifestyle..
the ideas are appealing but can never say for sure that the source is authentic..
The fruit is sweet but we do not know from which tree it is plucked,
however, we tend to name the tree according to our limited data or even our convenience..

There is a sloka in circulation comparing the greatness of Dandi and Kalidasa..
that too umpired by Bhoja..
nice to read but without any authenticity..

Once the matter as to who was great as a poet between Dandi and Kalidasa was taken to the doors of Devi Kali..
king Bhoja was also a witness to the proceedings.

The three were assembled before the doors of the Devi which was just getting opened in the morning..

Seeing Dandi, Kali is reported to have said,
kavir dandiH kavir dandiH kavir Dandirna SashayaH

कविर्द्दण्डिः कविर्द्दण्डिः कविर्द्दण्डिर्न संशयः
kavirddaṇḍiḥ kavirddaṇḍiḥ kavirddaṇḍirna saṁśayaḥ

meaning three times I say, Dandi is the greatest poet.

Kalidasa was very sad.. but looking at his sad face, Mother Kali said.
Twamevaaham Twamevaaham Twamevaahama na samshayaH
त्वमेवाहं त्वमेवाहं त्वमेवाहं न संशयः
tvamevāhaṁ tvamevāhaṁ tvamevāhaṁ na saṁśayaḥ
meaning I declare thrice without any room for doubt that you are myself
who is greater?

So many such stories are there, with so many local variations in description and content..

So each can say things in the way he has learnt it..

Like perhaps the ten blind men who visited an elephant and described its form and qualities according to their perception..

IMPORTANT NOTE....
ACCORDING TO LEARNED HISTORIANS OF SANSKRIT LITERATURE AND SCHOLARS IT IS CLARIFIED THAT KALIDAS AND DANDI WERE NOT CONTEMPORARIES.. But I think that does not take away the enjoyability of the above chatuslokam..