Story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala

Srimad Bhagavatham - Story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala

Dushyanta, son of Raibhya, is of Puru descent. Puru is the youngest son of Emperor Yayathi and Sarmistha (daughter of Demon Chief Vrsaparva).   

Once, King Dushyanta, accompanied by a few bodyguards, had gone on hunting and reached Sage Kanva's ashram. He saw a beautiful lady, as beautiful as Mahalakshmi. 

King Dushyanta instantly fell in love with her. He enquired who she was and her lineage and asked the purpose of her stay in the forest. He said “You must be a kshatriya as I, the scion of Puru, will never lean towards unrighteousness”.

Shakuntala said “ I am the daughter of Viswamitra and Menaka, an apsara. Being a resident of heaven, my mother left me in the forest. Sage Kanva took care of me, and since then, I am here under his guidance.  

You are our guest. What can we do for you? Please accept our hospitality. You can have wild rice and stay here.” Saying so she tactically expressed her desire to marry him. However, she wanted Sage Kanva's acceptance.

King Dushyanta said, “ You are born in the line of Vishwamitra and have the privilege to choose a suitable partner of your choice. The King chose ‘gandarva vivah’ , a marriage based on mutual consent.

He married Shakunthala with ethical codes. The same night, the king deposited his seed in the womb of his wedded wife, Shakuntala. The next morning, he went back to his capital to fulfill his commitments.

In the course of time, Shakuntaka gave birth to a male child. In the absence of father and other family members, Sage Kanva had to perform purification ceremonies and took care of Shakuntala and the babe. The infant had extraordinary strength and was bold enough to play with lions. The boy carried divine marks of the future Emperor.

Years later, Shakuntala sought the presence of her royal husband along with her son. Unfortunately, the king failed to remember her and accept the boy as his son. 

An ethereal (divine) voice, which was heard by everyone, said ”Shakuntala is your wedded wife, and this boy is your son. A mother carefully carries the seed in her womb and protects it. The son belongs to the father alone. He is the extension of the father. 

O Dushyanta, accept her and your son. A son leads the father out of the abode of Yama. Hearing the divine message, Dushyanta readily accepted Shakuntala and his son. He named his son ‘Bharata’.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana