20 Facts About Shakuntala

In both narratives, Shakuntala is the daughter of the sage Vishwamitra and the celestial nymph Menaka.

Shakuntala later falls in love with King Dushyanta and becomes the mother of Bharata, a celebrated emperor of India.

Shakuntala has been a significant figure, often seen as a symbol of Indian womanhood, inspiring numerous literary, artistic, and visual adaptations.

Shakuntala departs, and Menaka, before returning to heaven, leaves the child near the hermitage of Sage Kanva.

Sage Kanva discovers the infant surrounded by sakunta birds and names her Shakuntala, signifying "one protected by sakunta".

Shakuntala was surrounded in the solitude of the wilderness by sakuntas, therefore, hath she been named by me Shakuntala.

In due course, Shakuntala gave birth to a son, named Sarvadamana due to his ability to suppress everyone, including animals like lions.

Shakuntala reminds him that truth is the foundation of righteousness and warns that the gods, who witness all actions, will judge him.

Shakuntala's reign is marked by justice, prosperity, and grand sacrifices, including the horse sacrifice.

Overwhelmed by his emotions, Dushyanta convinces Shakuntala to marry him through the gandharva rite, a form of spontaneous union that does not require formal rituals or parental approval.

Unaware of the full consequences of the curse, Shakuntala waits for Dushyanta's return.

Along the way, while crossing a river, Shakuntala accidentally loses the signet ring when it slips from her finger and falls into the water, unnoticed.

The sage explains that Bharata is indeed his son and that Shakuntala has been living in the celestial realm all along.

At last, Dushyanta and Shakuntala are reunited, their love restored and strengthened by the trials they endured.

Now a mature and dignified woman, Shakuntala forgives Dushyanta, and they are finally recognized as husband and wife.

The painting, which depicted Shakuntala lying on the forest floor in a yellow sari, surrounded by her friends and animal companions, won a gold medal and garnered widespread acclaim.

One of his Shakuntala paintings was even selected as the frontispiece for Monier-Williams' 1887 edition of Kalidasa's play.

In 1895, Varma's first lithographic print, The Birth of Shakuntala, won the "Best Lithograph" prize at the Bombay Art Society's annual exhibition.

The choice of this subject was highly symbolic; by this time, Shakuntala had come to represent an idealized vision of Indian womanhood.

The 2009 Indian television show, Shakuntala, was an adaptation of the play by Kalidasa.