Question

Kalidasa's literary works are primarily inspired by which of the following sources?

• A. Greek mythology and Roman philosophy
• B. The Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas
• C. Buddhist Jataka tales and Jain scriptures
• D. Persian poetry and Central Asian folklore

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas

Kalidasa was a renowned Sanskrit playwright from the 4th-5th century CE, believed to have served as a courtier under Chandragupta II. His works are deeply influenced by the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas. Among his notable plays are Mālavikāgnimitram (The Story of Mālavikā and Agnimitra) and Vikramorvasiyam (The Story of Vikrama and Urvashi). He also composed epic poems like Raghuvamsa (The Dynasty of Raghu) and Kumārasambhava (The Birth of Kumara, or Subrahmanya), as well as Khandakavyas (minor poems). However, his most famous and celebrated work remains Abhijñāna Śākuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala).