WDT#14:What are key themes & morals in Dushyant-Shakuntala love story?

Hello all,

This is the fourteenth weekly discussion topic (14th WDT) in our "Indian Mythology" forum (earlier known as Mythological Masti). As you all know, I generally post a topic (in the form of a question?) from our hindu mythology every week, to have some meaningful mythological discussions.

Since mythology is considered a component of religion, and can be a sensitive topic for most people, with the characters often being revered, you must follow the rules of Indian Mythology Forum to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in our forum.

As the title suggests, the topic of this week is:

What are the major themes and moral lessons depicted in the story of Dushyant and Shakuntala?

As you all know, the story of Dushyant and Shakuntala, as depicted in Kalidasa's classic play "Abhijnanashakuntalam," weaves together themes of love, duty, forgiveness, and the power of destiny. At its heart, the tale illustrates the profound connection between true love and the trials it must endure. Dushyant and Shakuntala's romance is marked by obstacles and misunderstandings, yet their bond ultimately triumphs through persistence and virtue.

This story highlight the importance of patience, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to righteousness. It underscores how genuine love can overcome adversity and how personal integrity and honor are essential in maintaining relationships and fulfilling one's duties.

So what are the themes and lessons do you find significant in the story of Dushyant and Shakuntala? And, how do these elements resonate with contemporary issues and personal experiences?

Share your views and engage in meaningful discussions with your fellow members.

Sorry I Can't Answer This Question

I Never The Read Story

When I read Abhigyan Shakuntalam, the Sanskrit and English translation together, it was one of its kind reading!

One thing that got me hooked was the kind of description of Shakuntala and the way it was portrayed with the nature and it's beauty (flowers, flora fauna, etc.)

Their love is beyond time and it's been a few years since I did the reading but the way Shakuntala stands up for herself, raises her child to become one of the greatest rulers of Bharatvarsh.

The story is not just about love, it has a lot more aspects, especially in the Kalidasa's version.

The story of Shakuntala not just taught us about true love and patience but also about faith in one's spouse and belief in him. Shakuntala knew that Dushyant failed to recognize her because of the curse given to her by a Rishi (forgot his name). She didn't force Dushyant to remember his relationship with her. Instead she returned to her ashram, singlehandedly raised her son Bharat and made him strong and brave like his father and at the same time waiting patiently for Dushyant to come back to her.

Personally, this story (MB version) is a cautionary tale against verbal-only contracts. You should always get things in writing/have neutral witnesses.

The way Dushyanta mansplains, manipulates and basically coerces Shakuntala into being intimate with him is terrifying to read. A testament to how women need to be so overly cautious even now while negotiating any deal.

The first thing Dushyanta does (after finding Shakuntala alone, and gauging exactly how long her father will be gone), is that he confirms her caste status. Laughable, considering the glass house he has in his skeleton closet (this part is not his fault, but is sure ironic how he uses the same logic to evaluate the worth of Shakuntala, which can be use to disqualify him completely).

The moment that he is assured of her 'good breeding', Dushyanta starts cornering her. While his tone is sweet, and polite, it's clear that he intends to fully exploit the fact and he's King and Shakuntala is just a law-fearing subject (a young and naive one at that).

Shakuntala however isn't completely clueless. Once it is clear that Dushyanta is in no mood to wait for her father to return (rather he wishes to finish the 'deed' as soon as possible and then run), Shakuntala exacts a promise that Dushyanta will make their future offspring the yuvaraja.

Solid plan. Only one problem, Shakuntala didn't think Dushyanta would be so brazen as to completely deny the whole encounter.

So, when she presents herself and her Sarvadamana in Allahabad, Dushyanta's words hit her like a metaphorical kick in the teeth.

Dushyanta, among other grossly misogynistic comments, calls into question the character- both Shakuntala's and her mother's. He penalizes her for her father's dodgy track record, combined with her mother's perceived lack of morals, by invoking their names and stories to discredit both her honor and honesty.

It is then, that Shakuntala becomes a (n unnecessarily) strong heroine, standing up for both herself and her mother, all the while defending her son's right to his father's throne. In doing so, dishing it right back to Dushyanta, she brings up the disparity in their births (it's nice to see Shakuntala being proud of her mum...even though it is a can of worms). She asserts that Dushyanta would not be doing her son a favour if he accepts him now and here, because her son is perfectly capable of taking, in due time, what is owed to him.

Just as she is about to leave, there is this shloka. In Dr. N P Bhaduri's research he mentions that this shloka is old and unchanged in multiple scriptures. In fact, it might be pre-Vedic.

Bharasva Putram Dushyanta |

Mavasangstha Shakuntalam ||

Tanchasya Dhata Garbhasya |

Satyamaha Shakuntala ||

In essence, in breaking the metaphor, I assume Dushyanta's ministers remind him of the social clout of Kanva (and that he so callously dragged one of the most powerful rajarshis' name through the mud), and by extension the damage Shakuntala can really do with (both of) her father's help in a Brahman-dominated society, and hence they advise him to give up the ruse and accept both mother and son.

In fact, that is where Bharata gets his name (the bold portion of the shlokas)....Bhara (Bharasva) + Ta (Dushyanta).

After the fact obviously Dushyanta gives a very Rama-like excuse...wanted to test her piety, gods' approvals blah blah. As a headcanon, I like to believe that Shakuntala never really forgave him (because that sets a terrible precedent), and neither did Bharata.

As a moral, I would repeat, have written contracts, pre-nups+post-nups, read all the pages, call witnesses and make sure you're actually legally married. Basically, know your rights or you may end up fighting your own case in a biased court sans lawyer.

All weddings are subject to market risk of you haven't read the deal related documents carefully. Documentation is important, fellas

Lovely replies. In addition to the above, adding my own thoughts..

Physical Love vs Spiritual Love: The basis for Dushyant and Shakuntala's story was mutual physical attraction towards each other (kama rasa), and it required a physical verification (ring and then the amulet) for validation that Shakuntala and Bharat are related to Dushyant. Correct me if I am wrong, but they don't actually have a conversation or depth outside of the flirting, professing their love for each other or the Gandharva Vivah prior to the court where like proteeti mentioned he insults even her parentage. Spiritual love comes into play when Shakuntala blindly believes that Dushyant will accept her in her pregnant state and waits on him to come back, or later when he presumes she'd forgive him for doubting her chastity after he finds the ring and remembers their encounters. The lesson here is that you need to have a balance of both for a stable relationship.

Nature vs Man: Before Shakuntala meets Dushyant, she is in the abundance and comfort of aesthetic happiness and peace, with the tranquility of the ashram keeping her safe, sound and pure from all external factors. Once she meets him, she learns about material happiness, however with the barrier broken between the natural world and man-made world, reality knocks at their door with emotions like yearning, curses, betrayal and later acceptance of the harsh truth also entering her life. Similarly, after meeting her, the forest life tempts him with all the luxuries it has to offer, however he has to also abide by his princely duties, hence returns to take on his responsibilities in the man-made world (kingdom). He sets himself as a good monarch, however fails as a human in the court with no recall of reality. With her self-respect, she returns to the natural setting, and solely raises her child to be a good human - knowledgeable, skilled yet kind-hearted (nipun in shastra and shaashtra), and like Neha and Subha said, she proves herself to be a able palanhaar. This could be reflective of even today how Mother Earth's survival depends on us not exploiting it for our own benefit.

The circle of past and future: Vishwamitra and Menaka's story is well known, as one where a divine woman lured a powerful sage away from his penance, and as a result begets a child called Shakuntala, who grows up in a hermitage. Vishwamitra's lapse in spiritual focus due to his attachment to Menaka was seen as a setback in his quest for spiritual enlightenment. In the case of Dushyant and Shakuntala too, she is seen as a distraction/ fulfilment of his human desires and temptations away from his royal duties, and their union leads to the birth of Bharat, who grows up in a hermitage. There is a implicit understanding of how the past cannot be changed, but the future can be altered, and while circumstances were such that Vishwamitra, Menaka and Shakuntala never actually live together, the written fates determined that Dushyant, Shakuntala and Bharat do.