Shakuntala: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Legacy
About the Character
Shakuntala was the daughter of Maharshi Vishvamitra and the celestial nymph Menaka.
Vishvamitra's Distraction: The Birth of Shakuntala
Maharshi Vishvamitra once hatched a plan to gain victory over Heaven by defeating Indra, the king of the gods. For his success, he started intensely praying to Lord Shiv. Terrified by Vishvamitra's power, Indra sent the celestial nymph Menaka, who possessed unrivaled beauty, to disturb the rishi's meditation. Indra's plan succeeded: Vishvamitra stopped meditation and started living with Menaka. The couple eventually gave birth to a little girl.
Menaka's Departure: The Abandonment on the Malini Riverbank
Her purpose had been accomplished, so Menaka had to return to Heaven. She could neither take her daughter along nor stay on Earth and raise her. So she left the baby girl on the Malini riverbank to her fate.
Shakuntala's Guardians: From Birds to Rishi Kanva
On the Malini riverbank, the baby was cared for by Shakunt birds. These birds protected the girl from wild animals and the forces of nature. Rishi Kanva happened to pass by that riverbank. He saw the Shakunt birds caring for the young girl. He hesitated momentarily, but seeing no one else there, he adopted the girl and named her Shakuntala, meaning "cared for by Shakunt birds".
Shakuntala and King Dushyant: A Love Born of Compassion
Once, King Dushyant traveled near Rishi Kanva's ashram on a hunting expedition. He shot a deer that Shakuntala was particularly fond of, angering Shakuntala, who tried to help the injured deer. The king was touched by her compassion for the animal and stayed with Shakuntala to care for it. Shakuntala and the king eventually fell in love and married at Rishi Kanva's ashram.
Rishi Durvasa's Curse: Shakuntala's Ordeal and Redemption
One day, the ill-tempered Rishi Durvasa arrived at Rishi Kanva's ashram. Shakuntala, depressed due to her separation from her husband, was unable to welcome the rishi properly.
The angry rishi 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."
The Birth of Bharat: A Divine Prodigy
Sometime later, Shakuntala gave birth to King Dushyant's son and named him Bharat. The boy was handsome and had godly qualities. He used to play with wild animals and quickly became well-versed in the Vedas and Shastras.
Shakuntala's Journey: A Lost Ring and Unrecognized Love
Tired of waiting, Shakuntala traveled to King Dushyant's palace by boat with her young son. During the journey, she lost her ring—the one her husband had given her—underwater. King Dushyant failed to recognize Shakuntala at the palace as per Rishi Durvasa's curse. It was only then that she realized she had lost her ring. Frustrated, she decided to live in the forest.
Rediscovered Ring: The Return of King Dushyant's Memories
Sometime later, a fisherman found a ring in the belly of a fish he had caught. The ring had the king's emblem on it. He went straight to the palace and delivered it to King Dushyant. When the king saw the ring, his memories of Shakuntala came rushing back, per Rishi Durvasa's remedy to the curse.
Reunion in the Forest: King Dushyant, Shakuntala, and Bharat's Joyful Return
On another hunting expedition, the king saw a boy playing with a lion cub in the woods. When Dushyant quizzed the boy, the latter said his parents were "Shakuntala and King Dushyant." King Dushyant's happiness knew no bounds. The boy led him to Shakuntala, after which the trio went to the palace and lived happily ever after. Bharat succeeded Dushyant as king and would be remembered as one of the great rulers.