The Sanskrit epic 'Kiratarjuniya', about the fight between Arjuna and Shiva (disguised as a hunter), was written by:

The "Kiratarjuniya" ("Of Arjuna and the Kirata") is a Sanskrit epic poem (mahakavya) written by Bharavi, probably in the 6th century CE.

About the Kiratarjuniya:

• It has 18 cantos (sargas).
• It is based on an episode from the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata.
• During the Pandavas' exile in the forest, Arjuna performs severe penance on the Himalayas (Indrakila mountain) to obtain divine weapons from Lord Shiva.
• Shiva appears in the disguise of a "kirata" (a mountain-dwelling hunter).
• Both Arjuna and the kirata shoot arrows at a boar (a demon in disguise) at the same moment, and they quarrel over who killed it.
• They fight; Arjuna is unable to defeat the hunter, and finally recognises him as Shiva.
• Pleased with Arjuna's courage, Shiva gives him the powerful weapon "Pashupatastra".
• The poem is famous for its depth of meaning ("artha-gaurava"), its political wisdom (especially in the early cantos, with the speeches of Draupadi and Bhima), and its complex verses.
• One famous canto contains a verse made of only one consonant ("na").

About Bharavi:

• He is believed to have lived in the 6th century CE.
• According to tradition, he was associated with the court of the Pallava king Simhavishnu, or with the Western Ganga king Durvinita.
• His name is mentioned, along with Kalidasa, in the Aihole inscription (634 CE) of Pulakeshin II, which shows that he was famous by that time.

The Pancha Mahakavyas (five great epics of Sanskrit):

• Two epics by Kalidasa.
• Kiratarjuniya: by Bharavi.
• An epic on the slaying of a king of Chedi: by another poet.
• Naishadhacharita: by Shriharsha.
• The phrase "Bharaver artha-gauravam" means "Bharavi is known for depth of meaning".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Magha wrote another epic on an episode of the Mahabharata.
• ✗Kalidasa wrote two other mahakavyas.
• ✗Bhatti wrote an epic on the Ramayana.