Kirātārjunīya
Quick Summary
Kiratarjuniya is a Sanskrit epic poem by the poet Bharavi, who likely lived in the 6th century CE. The poem is based on an episode from the Mahabharata and recounts the story of the Pandava prince Arjuna's encounter with a wild mountaineer, who is revealed to be the god Shiva. After a combat, Shiva awards Arjuna a powerful weapon for his valor and penance. Bharavi's poetry is known for its elevated language and complex style. The epic is classified as a mahakavya, or "great poem," in Sanskrit literature.12
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IndiaSociety and culture…of Sanskrit resulted in the Kiratarjuniya, an epic written by Bharavi (7th century); in Dandin’s Dashakumaracarita, a collection of popular stories (6th century); and in Bhavabhuti’s play Malatimadhava. Tamil literature flourished as well, as
Read More…of Sanskrit resulted in the Kiratarjuniya, an epic written by Bharavi (7th century); in Dandin’s Dashakumaracarita, a collection of popular stories (6th century); and in Bhavabhuti’s play Malatimadhava. Tamil literature flourished as well, as
Read More- South Asian artsThe mahākāvya
…a Mahābhārata theme in his Kirātārjunīya (“Arjuna and the Mountain Man”), recounting the Pāṇḍava prince Arjuna’s encounter and ensuing combat with a wild mountaineer who in the end proves to be the god Śiva. Bhāravi’s language and style are more difficult than Kālidāsa’s, but the poem is highly regarded in…
Read More…a Mahābhārata theme in his Kirātārjunīya (“Arjuna and the Mountain Man”), recounting the Pāṇḍava prince Arjuna’s encounter and ensuing combat with a wild mountaineer who in the end proves to be the god Śiva. Bhāravi’s language and style are more difficult than Kālidāsa’s, but the poem is highly regarded in…
Read More