The story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala, a descendant of Puru, is one of the most cherished tales in Indian mythology, intertwined with themes of love, loss, and eventual reunion. Dushyanta, a noble king, falls in love with Shakuntala, the adopted daughter of sage Kanva, while hunting in the forest. Her true parentage lies in her divine mother Menaka, an apsara, and her father, the powerful sage Vishwamitra, who was once seduced by Menaka, disrupting his penance.
Dushyanta’s love for Shakuntala sparks a secret marriage between them, known as Gandharva Vivaha, a wedding performed in secrecy without family approval. After a blissful period in the hermitage, Dushyanta returns to his kingdom, leaving Shakuntala with his signet ring as a symbol of his love, promising to return. However, the curse of sage Durvasa, known for his short temper, clouds Dushyanta’s memory of her. The curse was cast when Shakuntala, absorbed in thoughts of Dushyanta, unknowingly neglected the sage’s presence.
When Shakuntala, pregnant with Dushyanta’s child, eventually travels to his kingdom, the king fails to recognize her due to Durvasa’s curse. To further complicate matters, she loses the signet ring while bathing, which would have served as proof of her marriage. Disheartened, Shakuntala returns to her father’s hermitage.
Time passes, and Shakuntala gives birth to a son named Bharata, who grows to be a brave and skilled warrior. The signet ring, recovered by a fisherman who finds it in the belly of a fish, is returned to Dushyanta, breaking the curse and restoring his memory. Regretting his actions, the king seeks out Shakuntala and finds her, eventually reuniting with his wife and son.
Bharata, Dushyanta’s son, becomes a legendary ruler and conqueror. His reign and strength were so renowned that the land of India became known as Bharatavarsha (Land of Bharata), signifying his indelible impact on the region. His tale reflects the importance of loyalty, righteousness, and forgiveness, making it a celebrated part of Indian mythology.
This story connects to broader mythological themes, such as the tension between duty and personal desire, curses, and divine intervention, much like in other epics like the Mahabharata, where the line of Bharata continues through the Kuru dynasty.