Which work of Kalidasa is based on the theme of the birth of Kartikeya (Kumara), the son of Shiva and Parvati?

Kalidasa's epic poem "Kumarasambhava" ("The Birth of Kumara") is based on the theme of the birth of Kartikeya (Kumara), the son of Shiva and Parvati.

About Kumarasambhava:

• It is a "mahakavya" (great poem or epic) in Sanskrit.
• It has 17 cantos (sargas), though scholars believe that only the first eight were written by Kalidasa, and the rest were added later.

Its story:

• The gods are troubled by the demon Taraka, who can be killed only by a son of Shiva.
• Shiva is deep in meditation after the death of his first wife, Sati.
• Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king Himalaya, wishes to marry Shiva.
• The god of love, Kama, tries to disturb Shiva's meditation, but Shiva burns him to ashes with the fire from his third eye.
• Parvati then performs severe penance (tapas), and wins Shiva's love through her devotion.
• Shiva and Parvati are married, and later their son Kumara (Kartikeya, also called Skanda or Murugan) is born, who kills Taraka.
• The poem is famous for its beautiful descriptions of the Himalayas, of Parvati's penance, and of the seasons.

Kalidasa's works:

Plays (dramas):

• "Abhijnanashakuntalam".
• "Malavikagnimitra": about the Shunga king Agnimitra and Malavika.
• "Vikramorvashiyam": about King Pururavas and the nymph Urvashi.

Epic poems (mahakavyas):

• "Raghuvamsha": the history of the kings of the Raghu dynasty (Rama's family).
• "Kumarasambhava".

Lyric poems (khandakavyas):

• "Meghaduta" ("The Cloud Messenger"): a yaksha, exiled from his home, sends a message to his wife through a cloud.
• "Ritusamhara": a description of the six seasons.

Kartikeya in Indian tradition:

• He is the god of war, and the commander of the army of the gods.
• In south India, he is worshipped as Murugan, especially in Tamil Nadu.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Raghuvamsha is about the Raghu dynasty.
• ✗Meghaduta is about a cloud messenger.
• ✗Ritusamhara describes the seasons.