chapter 1.The Birth of Shakuntala
Long ago, when the world was young and the great sages walked the earth in deep meditation, there lived the mighty sage Vishwamitra. His penance was so intense, his meditation so deep, that even the gods in heaven trembled. Indra, the king of gods, feared that Vishwamitra’s tapasya (austerity) would make him powerful enough to challenge heaven itself.
To disturb his penance, Indra sent one of the most enchanting apsaras (celestial maidens), Menaka, to earth. With her beauty, grace, and divine charm, she was to break the sage’s concentration.
Menaka descended upon earth like moonlight upon the waters. Her laughter was soft as tinkling bells, her eyes deep as lotus pools. Vishwamitra, though a sage of unshaken resolve, could not resist her. Their union bore a daughter—Shakuntala.
Yet destiny was strange. Menaka, bound by her celestial duties, could not stay long on earth. Vishwamitra too returned to his penance, leaving the infant alone by the river Malini. But fate had not abandoned the child. A band of Shakuntala (birds) gathered around her, shielding her with their wings, feeding her with fruits, and protecting her from beasts of the forest.
It was then that the great sage Kanva, passing through the forest, found the baby. Moved by compassion, he took her in, naming her Shakuntala—“the one protected by shakuntala birds.”
Under Kanva’s care, she grew into a maiden of rare beauty, grace, and virtue. The hermitage where she lived was filled with peace, the murmur of sacred chants, and the rustle of forest leaves.
Chapter 2: The King Enters the Forest
Far away, in the capital city of Hastinapura, ruled a mighty king—Dushyanta of the Puru dynasty. Strong as a lion, skilled with bow and arrow, he was loved by his people. One day, while pursuing a deer during a royal hunt, he strayed deep into the forest, far from his men.
Chasing the swift creature, he came upon the hermitage of Sage Kanva. The deer had fled into its safety, and Dushyanta, respecting the sanctity of the place, lowered his bow.
There, under the shade of flowering trees, he saw her—Shakuntala. She was watering the plants, her slender hands sprinkling cool drops over the roots. Her long hair, tied loosely, fell upon her shoulders. Her eyes were like doe’s, wide and soft. She wore a simple bark garment, yet she glowed with a beauty brighter than royal jewels.
For the first time, the mighty king’s heart trembled.
Dushyanta approached gently.
Dushyanta: “Maiden, who are you? You seem more divine than mortal. Tell me, do you belong to this hermitage?”
Blushing, Shakuntala replied softly, “O King, I am Shakuntala, daughter of Sage Vishwamitra and the apsara Menaka. Left alone as an infant, I was raised here by my revered father, Sage Kanva.”
The king marveled at her lineage—born of great penance and celestial grace. Love struck him like an arrow.
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Chapter 3: Love in the Hermitage
In the days that followed, Dushyanta lingered in the hermitage under the pretext of resting from the hunt. He and Shakuntala spent hours together, speaking of the forest, the scriptures, and the duties of a king. Slowly, their words turned tender.
The bees buzzed among blooming jasmines, rivers sang soft melodies, and love blossomed between them like spring in full bloom.
One evening, under the golden light of sunset, Dushyanta confessed:
Dushyanta: “Shakuntala, your beauty binds me more than any chain of iron. Will you be mine? Will you share my throne and life?”
Shakuntala, shy but resolute, answered:
“My lord, though born of a sage and an apsara, I am still a maiden of the hermitage. If you truly love me, take me as your wife in Gandharva rite, witnessed only by heaven, without rituals or fire, for my father is away.”
Thus, under the whispering trees, they exchanged vows of love. Dushyanta placed upon her finger a royal ring, inscribed with his name, as a token of his promise.
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Chapter 4: Separation
Time passed, and the king was recalled to his kingdom. Before leaving, he assured Shakuntala,
“Beloved, I will send for you soon. You shall be queen of Hastinapura. Till then, hold this ring as my pledge.”
With heavy heart, he departed.
But fate is ever cruel. One day, as Shakuntala sat lost in thoughts of her beloved, a great sage named Durvasa arrived at the hermitage. Known for his quick temper, he felt insulted when Shakuntala, daydreaming of Dushyanta, failed to greet him properly.
Furious, Durvasa cursed:
“Lost in thoughts of your lover, you ignored me! The one you dream of shall forget you, as you forgot me.”
Shakuntala fell at his feet, begging forgiveness. The sage, softened, added:
“The curse shall be lifted when he sees the token of his love—the ring he gave you.”
But destiny played yet another trick. On her way to Hastinapura, while crossing a river, Shakuntala’s ring slipped from her finger and sank into the waters. A fish swallowed it, vanishing deep into the stream.
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Chapter 5: The Forgotten Queen
At Hastinapura’s gates, Shakuntala arrived, radiant with hope. She stood before King Dushyanta, her eyes shining with love.
But alas, under Durvasa’s curse, Dushyanta had forgotten everything. He looked at her with coldness.
Dushyanta: “Who are you, maiden? Why do you claim to be my wife?”
Shakuntala’s heart shattered. She spoke of their vows, their union, the ring—but when she searched her finger, the token was gone. Without proof, her words were like leaves in the wind.
Humiliated, abandoned, she left the palace. Her sorrow was deep, yet within her grew a greater strength—for she was carrying the child of Dushyanta.
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Chapter 6: Birth of Bharata
In a forest hermitage, Shakuntala gave birth to a son—Bharata. Even as a child, he was extraordinary, playing with lions as though they were kittens. His courage, wisdom, and strength foretold greatness.
Years passed. One day, a fisherman caught a large fish. Inside its belly was the royal ring, glittering with Dushyanta’s name. The fisherman brought it to the king, suspecting theft.
The moment Dushyanta saw the ring, memory returned like a flood. He gasped, recalling Shakuntala, their vows, their love.
Remorse crushed him. At once, he set out to find her.
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Chapter 7: Reunion
In the hermitage, Dushyanta saw a boy playing fearlessly with lion cubs. Amazed, he asked,
“Child, who are you?”
The boy answered proudly, “I am Bharata, son of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala.”
Dushyanta’s heart leapt. Soon, Shakuntala appeared, her face still beautiful but shadowed with sorrow.
Falling at her feet, the king cried,
“Beloved, forgive me! The curse clouded my mind, but now I remember all. Accept me once more!”
Though hurt, Shakuntala saw the sincerity in his eyes. For the sake of their son, she forgave him. Together, they returned to Hastinapura, where Shakuntala was crowned queen.
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Chapter 8: Legacy
Prince Bharata grew to be one of the greatest kings in Indian history. His valor, wisdom, and justice made him beloved by his people. From him, the land came to be called Bharatavarsha—the India we know today.
Thus ended the tale of Shakuntala and Dushyanta—a story of love tested by fate, of separation and reunion, of sorrow and joy, and of a legacy that endures through ages.