Which one of the following books is NOT written by Kalidas?

Question

Which one of the following books is NOT written by Kalidas?

1. Meghaduta

2. Raghuvamsam

3. Shringar Shatak

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. Only 3 (Correct answer)
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. Only 1

Correct Answer

Option B — Only 3

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only 3.

Key Points

• 3. Shringar Shatak is NOT written by Kalidasa. It is one of the three *Shatakas* of Bhartrihari, giving option (b).
• 1. Meghaduta ✓ — Kalidasa's celebrated lyric poem (*khandakavya*) of a yaksha sending a message through a cloud.
• 2. Raghuvamsam ✓ — Kalidasa's *mahakavya* on the dynasty of Raghu.

Additional Information

• Bhartrihari wrote the Shatakatraya — the Shringara Shataka (love), Niti Shataka (ethics) and Vairagya Shataka (renunciation) — and also the grammatical work *Vakyapadiya*.
• Kalidasa's complete works: plays — Abhijnanashakuntalam, Vikramorvashiyam, Malavikagnimitram; epics — Raghuvamsham, Kumarasambhavam; lyrics — Meghadutam, Ritusamharam.
• Kalidasa is traditionally placed in the court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) and is called the "Shakespeare of India".
• Other Sanskrit authors to keep distinct: Bhasa (*Swapnavasavadatta*), Shudraka (*Mrichchhakatika*), Vishakhadatta (*Mudrarakshasa*), Banabhatta (*Harshacharita*, *Kadambari*) and Harsha (*Ratnavali*, *Naganandam*, *Priyadarshika*).