Love came to Flora asking for a flower
                 That would of flowers be undisputed queen,
                 The lily and the rose, long, long had been
             Rivals for that high honor. Bards of power
             Had sung their claims. “The rose can never tower
                 Like the pale lily with her Juno mien” —
                 “But is the lily lovelier?” Thus between
             Flower-factions rang the strife in Psyche’s bower.
             “Give me a flower delicious as the rose
               And stately as the lily in her pride” —
           But of what color?” — “Rose-red,” Love first chose,
               Then prayed — “No, lily-white — or, both provide;”
               And Flora gave the lotus, “rose-red” dyed,
           And “lily-white” — the queenliest flower that blows.

“Love Came to Flora Asking for a Flower” by Toru Dutt is a beautiful sonnet that delves into the theme of love seeking a flower that would stand as the unrivaled queen among all flowers. The poem unfolds as a dialogue between Love, personified as a character, and Flora, the Greek goddess of nature.

Love approaches Flora with a specific request for a flower, seeking one that would surpass all others in beauty and grace. The rose and the lily are presented as contenders for this esteemed title, each having been celebrated by poets for their unique qualities. The rose is known for its vibrant red hue, symbolizing love and passion, while the lily boasts a pale and dignified appearance, associated with Juno, the goddess of fertility and protection.

The conflict arises as poets debate the merits of each flower, with some emphasizing the rose’s passionate charm and others extolling the lily’s regal bearing. Love, caught in the middle of this floral rivalry, desires a flower that can encapsulate the best qualities of both the rose and the lily. He envisions a bloom that is not only delicious like the rose but also stately like the lily.

The goddess Flora, receptive to Love’s plea, poses a crucial question: the color preference of the desired flower. Love initially opts for the passionate red of the rose, but his indecision leads him to pray for the purity of lily-white. Ultimately, unable to choose between the two, Love requests both colors.

Flora, the benevolent deity of nature, responds to Love’s intricate request by presenting the lotus. The lotus, “rose-red” dyed and “lily-white,” becomes the embodiment of the perfect flower that Love sought. The lotus, described as the “queenliest flower that blows,” symbolizes the harmonious union of the passionate red of the rose and the pure white of the lily.

This poem can be interpreted as an exploration of the desire for perfection and unity in nature. Love seeks a flower that transcends the limitations of individual blooms, reflecting an appreciation for the diverse and complementary aspects of the rose and the lily. The lotus, with its dual colors, becomes a metaphor for the idealized fusion of different qualities, creating a flower that surpasses the individual beauty of its counterparts.

The additional information about the lotus, rose, and lily provides cultural and symbolic context to the flowers mentioned in the poem. The lotus, chosen as the national flower of India, symbolizes detachment, knowledge, and beauty. The rose and lily, with their mythological associations, add depth to the interpretation of the poem.

In conclusion, Toru Dutt’s “Love Came to Flora Asking for a Flower” is a poetic exploration of love’s quest for an idealized flower that encompasses the best qualities of the rose and the lily. The lotus, with its dual colors, emerges as the symbol of perfection and unity in nature, fulfilling Love’s desire for the queenliest flower.