Who among the following classical poets is the author of the book Kiratarjuniyam ?
- A.Thiruvalluvar
- B.Bharavi
- C.Valmiki
- D.Panini
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Bharavi. Bharavi, a Sanskrit poet of the sixth century CE, wrote the Kiratarjuniyam.
The Kiratarjuniyam is a mahakavya in eighteen cantos. It tells the Mahabharata episode in which Arjuna, doing penance for divine weapons, fights Shiva disguised as a Kirata (a mountain hunter) and finally receives the Pashupata weapon. Bharavi is praised for depth of meaning, summed up in the phrase 'Bharaver arthagauravam'. The poem is counted among the five great Sanskrit mahakavyas, along with Kalidasa's Raghuvamsha and Kumarasambhava, Magha's Shishupalavadha and Shriharsha's Naishadhacharita.
A is wrong: Thiruvalluvar wrote the Tamil ethical classic Tirukkural.
C is wrong: Valmiki is the author of the Ramayana, the adi kavya.
D is wrong: Panini wrote the Ashtadhyayi, a grammar of Sanskrit, not a poem.
Exam tip: Kiratarjuniyam is by Bharavi, Shishupalavadha by Magha, Naishadhacharita by Shriharsha.
Practice Questions
View allWho among the following is the author of the Kiratarjuniya?
- A.Magha
- B.Bharavi
- C.Bhasa
- D.Bhavabhuti
Show answer
The Kiratarjuniya, a Sanskrit epic poem of the sixth century, was written by Bharavi. The Kiratarjuniya tells, in 18 cantos, a story from the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata: Arjuna performs penance to win divine weapons, and Shiva tests him by appearing as a Kirata, a mountain hunter.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa ?
- A.Kavyalankara
- B.Natyashastra
- C.Madhyama-vyayoga
- D.Mahabhashya
Show answer
Madhyama-vyayoga is a one-act Sanskrit play by Bhasa, based on an episode from the Mahabharata. Bhasa is one of the earliest known Sanskrit dramatists, admired by Kalidasa himself.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following is the author of the book, Bandi Jivan ?
- A.Rash Behari Bose
- B.Veer Savarkar
- C.Aruna Asaf Ali
- D.Sachindranath Sanyal
Show answer
The revolutionary Sachindranath Sanyal wrote Bandi Jivan, an account of his life as a prisoner. Sanyal was closely linked with Rash Behari Bose in the Banaras conspiracy and was sent to the Cellular Jail in the Andamans.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?
- A.Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- B.Jawaharlal Nehru
- C.Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- D.Sarojini Naidu
Show answer
While held in Yerwada jail, Gandhi translated old Indian hymns and devotional lyrics into English, and these were published as 'Songs from Prison'.
Read the full explanation →With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work : Author
1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- A.Only one
- B.Only two
- C.Only three
- D.All four
Show answer
Pairs 2 and 4 are right; pairs 1 and 3 name the wrong authors. The Hammira-Mahakavya, a Sanskrit poem on the Chauhan ruler Hammira of Ranthambore, was written by the Jain poet Nayachandra Suri in the fifteenth century.
Read the full explanation →