16 Facts About Dushyanta

Dushyanta is a king of the Chandravamsha dynasty featured in Hindu literature.

Dushyanta is the husband of Shakuntala and the father of Bharata.

The Mahabharata narrates that Dushyanta once set out on a hunt and arrived at a forest, where he entered the hermitage of sage Kanva near the Malini River.

Dushyanta fell in love with her and, following Gandharva marriage, wedded her, agreeing that their son would inherit the throne.

Dushyanta agreed to not kill the antelope, and was encouraged to visit the ashrama.

Dushyanta was told that he would be welcomed by Shakuntala, Kanva's adopted daughter, due to the sage's absence.

Dushyanta broke up due to hearing that an elephant was running amok, and Shakuntala grew enamoured of the visitor.

Dushyanta confessed his feelings to his companion and jester Vidushaka, urging him to think of a pretext to stay in the ashrama without arousing suspicion.

Dushyanta sent Vidushaka to his capital, and fearing that his friend would be a tattletale, he lied, stating that his feelings for Shakuntala were but a joke.

The curse took effect, and Dushyanta lost all memory of Shakuntala.

Helpless and repentant of his actions, Dushyanta dwelt on his childlessness, which caused him to faint.

Matali, Indra's charioteer, arrived to Dushyanta's court, seeking his assistance in the war of the devas against the asuras.

Dushyanta agreed to participate, viewing it as a welcome diversion.

Dushyanta was successful in his war, and was honoured by Indra following their triumph.

Dushyanta soon learnt that the boy, Bharata, belonged to the race of Puru, and was the son of Shakuntala.

Kashyapa explained the nature of the curse to Dushyanta, and assured him that the loss of his memory of his wife was not his fault.