The story of Shakuntala is one of the most beloved and enduring tales in Indian literature, originating from the Mahabharata and later elaborated by the classical Sanskrit playwright Kalidasa in his play "Abhijnanasakuntalam" (The Recognition of Shakuntala).
Shakuntala The Mahabharata Version
In the Mahabharata, Shakuntala is the daughter of the sage
Vishwamitra and the apsara (celestial nymph) Menaka. Abandoned by her parents,
she is found and raised by the sage Kanva in his hermitage. Shakuntala grows up
into a beautiful and virtuous woman.
One day, King Dushyanta, while on a hunting expedition,
encounters Shakuntala and falls deeply in love with her. They marry according
to the Gandharva rite (a form of marriage by mutual consent without rituals).
Dushyanta gives Shakuntala his royal ring as a token of his promise to return
for her.
Shakuntala, now pregnant, waits for Dushyanta, but he does
not return. One day, she is visited by the sage Durvasa, known for his temper.
Absorbed in thoughts of Dushyanta, Shakuntala fails to greet Durvasa properly.
Angered, Durvasa curses her, saying that the person she is thinking of will
forget her. Realizing her mistake, Shakuntala begs for forgiveness, and Durvasa
relents slightly, saying the curse will be lifted if Dushyanta sees the ring he
gave her.
Shakuntala sets out to find Dushyanta but loses the ring in
a river. Without the ring, Dushyanta fails to recognize her due to the curse.
Heartbroken, Shakuntala returns to the hermitage and gives birth to a son,
Bharata.
Later, a fisherman finds the royal ring in the belly of a
fish and takes it to the king. Upon seeing the ring, Dushyanta's memory
returns, and he sets out to find Shakuntala. He eventually reunites with her
and acknowledges Bharata as his son. Bharata grows up to become a great king
and ancestor of the Kuru dynasty, from which the Pandavas and Kauravas descend.
Kalidasa's "Abhijnana Shakuntalam"
Kalidasa's play adds poetic embellishments and dramatic
elements to the original story. In this version, the love story between
Shakuntala and Dushyanta is more elaborate, with greater emphasis on their
emotional turmoil and romantic exchanges.
Shakuntala's curse and its consequences are central to the
plot. The ring becomes a crucial element for Dushyanta's recognition of
Shakuntala. The play highlights themes of love, separation, and reunion, with a
focus on divine intervention and the moral virtues of the characters.
Kalidasa's version is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and
depth of emotion, making it a classic of Sanskrit literature. The story of
Shakuntala has been translated into many languages and adapted into various art
forms, including dance, music, and film, continuing to captivate audiences with
its timeless appeal.