Bharavi was a 6th-century Indian Sanskrit poet and the author of the epic poem Kirātārjunīya, one of the six mahakavyas in classical Sanskrit literature. His poetry is characterized by its complex style and ethereal expressions. He influenced the 8th-century CE poet Magha, author of Shishupala Vadha.
Bharavi was probably from the southern region of India. He was a contemporary of King Durvinita of the Western Ganga dynasty and King Simhavishnu of the Pallava dynasty.
Bhāravi’s only famous work is Kirātārjunīya, an eighteen-canto epic poem in Sanskrit, the story of which comes from the Vana Parva of the long Sanskrit epic Mahābhārata. Kirātārjunīya is known for its brevity, depth (arthagauravam), and verbal complexity. In 18 cantos, he describes the combat between Shiva, disguised as a kirata (mountain-dwelling hunter), and Arjuna.
The book Kirātārjunīya begins with the Pandavas' exile in the forest.. Draupadi and Bhima urge Yudhishthira to declare war on the Kauravas, but he refuses. Following Indra’s advice, Arjuna performs penance (tapasya) in the forest to appease Shiva. Pleased with Arjuna’s austerities, Shiva decides to reward him. When a demon named Muka, in the form of a wild boar, charges at Arjuna, Shiva appears as a kirata. Both Arjuna and the kirata shoot the boar simultaneously, leading to a dispute over who struck first. A battle ensues between them, and Arjuna eventually recognizes Shiva and surrenders. Impressed by Arjuna’s bravery, Shiva grants him the powerful weapon Pashupatastra.
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