Sakuntalai

Sakuntalai is the female protagonist of the Sanskrit play Abhijnanashakuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala), written by the renowned Indian poet and playwright Kalidasa. The play is considered a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature and explores themes of love, loss, memory, and duty.

Sakuntala is portrayed as a beautiful and virtuous woman, raised in a hermitage by the sage Kanva. She is the daughter of the celestial nymph Menaka and the sage Vishwamitra.

The central plot revolves around her romance with King Dushyanta, who encounters her while hunting. They fall in love and secretly marry in a Gandharva marriage (marriage by mutual consent). Dushyanta is then forced to return to his kingdom, promising to send for Sakuntala.

Due to a curse by the sage Durvasa, Sakuntala is forgotten by Dushyanta. The curse states that he will not remember her until he sees a token of recognition. While waiting for Dushyanta, Sakuntala loses the ring he gave her, further complicating matters.

She eventually travels to Dushyanta's court, pregnant with his child. However, without the ring and with Dushyanta's amnesia, she is rejected.

Later, the ring is recovered, and Dushyanta's memory returns. He is filled with remorse and eventually reunited with Sakuntala and their son, Bharata. Bharata is destined to become a great emperor and the progenitor of the Bharata dynasty, after whom India (Bharat) is named.

Sakuntala's story is deeply embedded in Indian culture and continues to be retold and reinterpreted in various art forms, including dance, drama, and literature. She represents ideals of feminine virtue, resilience, and devotion. The story of Sakuntala is considered a significant part of Hindu mythology and highlights themes of dharma (righteousness), karma (action and consequence), and the complexities of human relationships.