The Sanskrit epic poem 'Kiratarjuniya' was written by:

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

About the Kiratarjuniya:

• It has 18 cantos (sargas) and is based on an episode from the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata.
• During the Pandavas' exile in the forest, Arjuna goes to the Himalayas to perform penance in order to obtain divine weapons from Lord Shiva.

Shiva appears in the form of a "kirata" (a mountain hunter). Both Arjuna and the kirata shoot an arrow at a wild boar (which is a demon in disguise) at the same moment, and they quarrel over who killed it.

They fight, and Arjuna cannot defeat the hunter. Finally, Shiva reveals himself and, pleased with Arjuna's courage, gives him the divine weapon "Pashupatastra".

The poem is famous for its depth of meaning ("artha-gaurava"). A well-known saying of Sanskrit critics is "Bharaver artha-gauravam" ("Bharavi is known for weight of meaning").

It contains remarkable verbal feats; for example, one verse uses only one consonant, "n".

About Bharavi:

• He probably lived in the 6th century CE in south India.
• He is said to have been associated with the court of the Pallava king Simhavishnu of Kanchipuram, and possibly with the Western Ganga king Durvinita.
• The Aihole inscription (634 CE) of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, written by Ravikirti, mentions Bharavi together with Kalidasa, showing his fame by that time.

The five great Sanskrit epics (Pancha Mahakavyas):

• "Raghuvamsha" and "Kumarasambhava": Kalidasa.
• "Kiratarjuniya": Bharavi.
• "Shishupalavadha": Magha, who was inspired by Bharavi.
• "Naishadhiyacharita": Sriharsha.
• A saying praises Magha as combining Kalidasa's simile, Bharavi's depth of meaning and Dandin's charm of words.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Magha wrote "Shishupalavadha".
• ✗Sriharsha wrote "Naishadhiyacharita".
• ✗Kalidasa wrote "Raghuvamsha" and "Kumarasambhava".