The Birth of Shakuntala

Maharshi Vishwamitra, once a king, plotted to overthrow Indra, the king of the gods, and take over Svarg (heaven). To achieve this, he underwent severe penance to obtain a boon from Lord Shiv. Appalled by the Maharshi's power, Indra sent the breathtakingly beautiful apsara Menaka to disturb Vishwamitra's meditation. Menaka descended to the place where the great rishi was offering his penance.

Enchanted by her beauty, the rishi stopped meditating and began to live with Menaka. Vishwamitra and Menaka had a baby girl together. Menaka's task was accomplished, and she had to return to Svarg immediately. She could not take her newborn daughter to Heaven, nor could she stay back on Earth to raise her, so she left her daughter on the Malini riverbank to her fate.

The young girl was cared for on the riverbank by Shakunt birds, who sheltered her under their wings, saving her from wild animals, heat, and rain. Later, Rishi Kanva found the girl being cared for by the birds and, finding no one else nearby, took her to his ashram. Because the Shakunt birds had cared for the girl, he named her "Shakuntala."

Shakuntala was lovingly raised at Rishi Kanva's ashram. As she grew into a charming young lady, one day, King Dushyant came to the jungle where the ashram was located for a hunt. There, he unexpectedly encountered Shakuntala, and the two fell in love. After seeking Rishi Kanva's permission, they got married. The King stayed at the ashram for a few days but then had to return to his palace. Upon learning about Dushyant's departure, Shakuntala became despondent. 

Seeing tears in his wife's eyes, Dushyant said, "My dear queen, I know you adore me, and it will be hard for you to spend even a second without me. I share the same feeling and cannot bear to live without you. Nonetheless, I cannot forget my royal duties. So, I must go. But I will return soon and then take you to the palace. Trust me, I won't be long. After that, we will live together and indulge in worldly pleasures. As the queen, you will boost the splendor of the palace. I give you this ring to seal my promise to return for you." Dushyant left after saying these affectionate words.

One day, the irascible Rishi Durvasa arrived at Rishi Kanva's ashram. Shakuntala was feeling depressed due to her separation from her husband. As a result, she could not properly welcome the rishi. This infuriated Durvasa, who immediately cursed her, "Just as you have ignored me, your husband will ignore you and forget you."

Shakuntala quickly apologized and pleaded with Rishi Durvasa for a remedy for the curse. The Rishi partially forgave her, saying, "If you show your husband an article he has given you, he will immediately regain his memory."