SHAKUNTALA/Abhigyansakuntalam by Kalidasa

Introduction and Reputation of Kalidasa (4th or 5th Century CE)

• Kalidasa is a famous poet from India, well known around the world for his classic
writings in Sanskrit.

• At first, people outside India didn’t know about his works because they were written in
the ancient languages, Sanskrit and Prakrit.

• In 1789 CE, Sir William Jones translated Abhijnana Shakuntalam into English,
introducing Kalidasa to the world. Sir William Jones noted that art, like personal
preferences, is subjective and universally appealing in unique ways.

Shakuntala, a captivating character in Kalidasa’s masterpiece Abhijnana-Shakuntalam, draws her

origins from the revered Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, composed by the sage Ved Vyasa.

Mahabharata by Sage Ved Vyasa (400 BCE to 400 CE)

 It’s one of the two major Hindu epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana).
 Contains over 100,000 verses in Sanskrit ((Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, english, and more))
 Includes many stories, like the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, and side stories
like Shakuntala's story (in the Adi Parva)
 Contains 18 parvas (books) ((section, part, or division))
 Themes: duty (dharma), war, truth, destiny
 Includes the story of Shakuntala in the Adi Parva (The Book of the Beginnings).

(((Shakuntala (शकुन्तला) is a heroine in ancient Indian literature, best known for her portrayal
in the ancient Sanskrit play Abhijnanashakuntalam (The Recognition of Shakuntala), written by
the classical poet Kalidasa in the 4th or 5th century C.E.)))

Charm of Kalidasa’s Works

• The lasting appeal of Kalidasa’s works lies in their eternal freshness, novelty, and
universal charm.

• The concept of enjoyment in poetry is termed as Rasa— the soul of poetry.

• Kalidasa skillfully uses plots, characters, and vivid descriptions to evoke emotions and
create Rasa.

>> Focuses on love, longing, and beauty. Adds poetry, imagination, and deeper emotion
<<
 Mahbharata > Very straightforward and moral-centred. Focuses on duty and lineage.

• His mastery in evoking Rasa earned him praise from scholars like Johann Wolfgang von
Goethe (poet, novelist, playwright, & scientist) and Rabindranath Tagore (Bengali poet,
short-story writer, song composer, playwright, essayist, and painter)

What is a Sanskrit Play?

A Sanskrit play is a drama or theatrical work written in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India.
These plays often include:

 Poetry and prose

 Music and dance
 Deep emotions and morals
 They were performed in royal courts and temples and are an important part of classical
Indian literature.

 Royal Courts, Temples, Folk Adaptations in Public Spaces

What is Sanskrit?

 Sanskrit is one of the oldest classical languages of India.

 It was used in writing religious texts, poems, philosophy, and plays (like Kalidasa's
works).
 It is not commonly spoken today, but it is still studied in temples, schools, and
universities.

Prakrit

 Prakrit is a group of simpler, everyday languages that came from Sanskrit.

 It was used by common people in ancient India.

Sanskrit = formal/classical language

Prakrit = everyday/common language of that time

Who is Shakuntala? – Athea’s Part

Shakuntala is the main female character in the ancient Indian play

"Abhijnanasakuntalam" written by Kalidasa, and she also appears in the epic
Mahabharata.
 Shakuntala is the daughter of the sage Vishwamitra and the heavenly nymph Menaka.
  She was abandoned at birth and raised by Sage Kanva in a peaceful forest hermitage.
 She is known for her beauty, grace, and purity.
 Shakuntala represents loyalty, love, patience, and forgiveness.
 Her story is emotional and magical, with elements of romance, loss, and reunion.
 She is a symbol of ideal womanhood in Indian literature.

About Abhijnana Shakuntalam by Kalidasa

• The title translates to “Recognition of Shakuntala.”

• It’s a seven-act play based on King Dushyanta and Shakuntala’s love story from the
Mahabharata.

• Acts I-IV: Sage Kanva’s hermitage near the Himalayas.

• Acts V-VI: Hastinapura (King Dushyanta’s capital).

• Act VII: Sage Marica’s hermitage on Hemakuta Mountain.

ACT I OF ABHIJNANA SHAKUNTALAM BY KALIDASA:

Context: The play begins with a Benedictory stanza (a prayer) to Lord Shiva, seeking blessings for
the success of the play. The Manager (Sutradhara) and his consort briefly introduce the play,
setting the stage for the story. The main characters of this act are King Duhsanta, Sakuntala, and
her friends.

Main Events:

• The King’s Hunt: King Duhsanta is out hunting in the forest, dressed in full hunting
attire.

• He spots an antelope and is about to shoot it when an ascetic (sage) stops him.

• The sage informs him that the antelope belongs to the hermitage of Sage Kanva and
should not be harmed.

• Respecting the sanctity of the hermitage, the king stops hunting and agrees to visit the
hermitage as a guest.

• The Hermitage and Sakuntala’s Introduction:

• Sage Kanva is away, but the ascetic assures the king that Kanva’s adopted daughter,
Sakuntala, will take care of him.
 • The king enters the hermitage and sees three beautiful girls watering plants and trees.
These are Sakuntala and her two friends, Anasuya and Priyamvada.

• Sakuntala’s beauty and grace immediately strike the king.

• The King Observes Them: The king hides and listens to their conversation. He learns
that Sakuntala is not Kanva’s biological daughter but the child of the celestial nymph
Menaka and Sage Vishwamitra.

• She was abandoned at birth and later adopted by Sage Kanva.

• The King Reveals Himself: After observing for a while, the king steps out and starts a
conversation with the girls.

• They talk about the plants and the hermitage. During this interaction, the king and
Sakuntala feel a mutual attraction.

• The king is polite and charming, but does not reveal his true identity as a king.

• Love at First Sight: The king falls in love with Sakuntala’s beauty and simplicity.

• Sakuntala, too, is impressed by the king’s respectful and noble demeanour, though she
doesn’t know he’s royalty.

• A Sudden Distraction: News arrives of an elephant running amok and causing trouble
nearby.

• The girls leave to help, and Sakuntala throws longing glances at the king as she
departs.

• The king, deeply moved by Sakuntala, leaves with thoughts of her in his heart.

Key Points:

• The act sets the tone for the romance between the king and Sakuntala.

• Kalidasa highlights the natural beauty of the hermitage and the simplicity of hermit
life.

• The king’s respect for the hermitage and its rules shows his noble character.

• Sakuntala’s purity and grace leave a lasting impression on the king, creating a
foundation for their love story.

ACT II
 • King is Lovesick: The king is deeply in love with Sakuntala and can’t stop thinking about
her.

• Madhavya, the court jester, tries to cheer him up but doesn’t succeed.

• Stops the Hunt: The king tells his army to stop the hunting and not disturb the peaceful
hermitage.

• Tells Madhavya About Sakuntala: The king shares his feelings for Sakuntala with
Madhavya.

• He wants to stay near the hermitage but doesn’t want others to suspect anything.

• A Perfect Opportunity: Some ascetics come to the king and ask for his protection
during their sacred rituals, which are being disturbed by evil spirits.

• The king agrees, as this gives him a reason to stay near Sakuntala.

• Sends Madhavya Back:T he king sends Madhavya back to the palace to be with his
mother.

• He lies to Madhavya, saying his feelings for Sakuntala were just a joke, so Madhavya
won’t tell anyone.

• This act shows how much the king loves Sakuntala and how he cleverly finds a way to
stay close to her.

Act III Context:

In this act, the story focuses on the growing love between King Duhsanta and Sakuntala. Both
are deeply in love with each other, but they are also dealing with the feelings and challenges
that come with their love. Sakuntala is affected by love and is resting, while the king is equally
lovesick.

• Sakuntala’s Condition: Sakuntala is so in love with the king that she is feeling ill from it.
She is resting on a bed of flowers with her two friends, Anasuya and Priyamvada, taking
care of her.

• The King’s Condition: The king, Duhsanta, is also feeling lovesick and is deeply affected
by his feelings for Sakuntala.

• Sakuntala Confesses: While resting, Sakuntala tells her friends that she is in love with
the king.
 • The King Declares His Love: The king takes this chance to enter the scene and openly
declares his love for Sakuntala.

• Proposal for Marriage: The king suggests that they should have a Gandharva marriage,
which is a marriage based on mutual love without formal ceremonies.

• Departure of Gautami: The lovers are interrupted by the arrival of an elderly lady-
ascetic, Gautami. Sakuntala and the king quickly say their goodbyes to each other.

• King’s Duty: The king, despite his love for Sakuntala, focuses on his duty to protect the
sacrificial rites from evil spirits. But he is still sad about not being with Sakuntala.

• This act shows how the love between Sakuntala and the king deepens. They express
their love openly, and the king proposes a marriage, but their responsibilities and the
arrival of others cause a brief separation.

ACT IV

• Gandharva Marriage: Duhsanta marries Sakuntala in a secret Gandharva marriage.

• He promises to send a guard to bring her to his palace.

• Sakuntala Distracted: Sakuntala is lost in thoughts of Duhsanta and does not properly
greet sage Durvasas when he visits the hermitage.

• Durvasas’ Curse: Angry, Durvasas curses Sakuntala, saying that the king will forget her,
even if she tries hard to make him remember.

• Priyamvada’s Plea: Priyamvada begs Durvasas for a concession. The sage agrees, saying
the curse can be lifted if Sakuntala shows a token from the king.

•Friends’ Relief: Sakuntala’s friends know she has Duhsanta’s ring and are relieved the
curse can be broken. They decide not to tell Sakuntala about the curse.

• Kanva’s Return: Priyamvada tells Anasuya that sage Kanva has returned and knows
about Sakuntala’s marriage and pregnancy. Kanva approves of her marriage and plans to
send her to the king’s palace.

• Sakuntala’s Farewell: Sakuntala leaves the hermitage, saying goodbye to the plants,
animals, and people she is attached to.

• Kanva’s Advice: Kanva gives Sakuntala advice on her duties as a wife and mother
before she leaves.
 • This act shows Sakuntala facing the curse, but her friends help her, and she prepares to
leave for the king’s palace with sage Kanva’s blessing.

ACT V

Setting in the Royal Palace

• What Happens: The scene shifts to King Duhsanta’s palace, where Sakuntala arrives
with the ascetics.

• The palace represents the material world where power and social rules matter,
showing how love and personal emotions sometimes get overshadowed by bigger forces
like duty and status.

Sarngarava’s Message

• What Happens: Sarngarava, one of the ascetics, delivers Kanva’s message asking the
king to accept Sakuntala as his wife

• The message reflects the importance of duty and tradition. Even in difficult times,
people must fulfil their responsibilities, which ties into the theme of moral duty.

The King’s Denial (Under the Curse)

• What Happens: Under the influence of a curse, King Duhsanta refuses to recognize
Sakuntala and denies their marriage.

• This shows how fate (the curse) can control human actions, making people act against
their will. The king’s memory and emotions are blocked, highlighting how powerful fate
and supernatural forces are in shaping lives.

Sakuntala’s Effort with the Signet Ring

• What Happens: Sakuntala tries to remind the king of their marriage by showing him his
signet ring, but it has fallen into the river.

• The ring represents a symbol of their relationship, but its loss symbolizes how love and
memory can’t always be confirmed by physical things. It also shows how fate can take
away what we rely on for proof or comfort.

Failure and Mutual Blame

• What Happens: The king and Sakuntala blame each other, but they can’t resolve the
situation. Both are frustrated.
 • This shows the emotional pain caused by misunderstanding and how blaming each
other doesn’t fix anything. It also reflects how powerless people can feel when fate
controls their actions and decisions.

The Royal Priest’s Responsibility

• What Happens: The royal priest takes responsibility for Sakuntala’s care after the
others leave her.

• The priest’s action represents the importance of societal roles and duties. Even in
difficult times, people are expected to fulfil their roles, even when personal emotions
are involved. It shows the contrast between personal feelings and public duty.

Celestial Lady’s Intervention

• What Happens: A celestial lady appears and takes Sakuntala away, intervening in her
situation.

• The celestial lady’s arrival represents divine or higher powers at work, showing that
sometimes, when human efforts fail, supernatural forces intervene to restore balance or
protect someone.

King’s Uncertainty

• What Happens: The king is left feeling uncertain and frustrated, unsure of what is real
and what is happening.

• Fate vs. Human Effort: The biggest message of this act is how fate often overpowers
human desires and actions. The king and Sakuntala try to act according to their wishes,
but the curse and other divine forces take control, showing that we can’t always control
our lives.

ACT VI

The Fisherman Finds the King’s Ring:

• A fisherman, who is wrongfully accused of theft, finds the king’s ring inside a fish he
caught. This is important because the king’s curse (which made him forget Sakuntala) is
lifted when he sees the ring.

• King Remembers His Marriage: After seeing the ring, the king remembers his marriage
to Sakuntala and feels deep regret for rejecting her.
 • King Tries to Distract Himself: The king tries to focus on other matters to forget his
grief, but the pain of regret keeps haunting him.

• Letter About the Merchant’s Death: The king receives a letter about a merchant,
Dhana-Vredhi, who has died childless. His wealth will go to the royal treasury. This
makes the king reflect on his own life and his lack of an heir.

• King Faints from Grief: The king is so overwhelmed by his sadness that he faints.

• Matali’s Arrival: Matali, a charioteer from Lord Indra, arrives with a message from the
gods. He tells the king that he must prepare for battle.

• This act conveys the intense emotional turmoil of the king. It shows how deeply regret
and sorrow can affect someone. The king cannot change his past mistakes, and this
helplessness makes him suffer. However, he is distracted from his grief by outside duties
and messages, suggesting that sometimes, life’s responsibilities pull people away from
their personal pains, whether they are ready or not.

ACT VII

King’s Successful Expedition:

• The king has been successful in his military campaign, and Indra, the king of the gods,
honours him greatly.

• The King’s Journey: While returning from his campaign, the king is travelling in a
chariot with Matali, the charioteer of Indra. They land on the Hema-kuta mountains to
visit the sage Marica.

• Meeting the Boy: While waiting for Matali, the king meets a young boy who looks
exactly like him. The boy is playing with a lion’s cub.

• Realization About the Boy: The king talks to the boy’s attendants and learns that the
boy is from the Puru family (the same royal family as the king) and his mother is named
Sakuntala.

• The Boy’s Amulet: The king picks up the boy’s magical amulet, which is only supposed
to be touched by the parents. To everyone’s surprise, it doesn’t turn into a snake when
the king touches it.

• The amulet not turning into a snake is a sign that the king is indeed the boy’s father,
confirming the king’s suspicion.

• Sakuntala Arrives: At that moment, Sakuntala arrives, and the king and she talk. They
explain everything to each other and reconcile. Meeting the Sage Marica: Matali returns
 and takes the king and Sakuntala to meet the sage Marica. The sage explains that the
king was under a curse, which caused his memory loss.

• Blessings and Happy Resolution: The sage blesses the king, Sakuntala, and the boy. A
messenger is sent to inform Sage Kanva about the happy developments.

• Reconciliation and Return of Joy: The king and Sakuntala’s separation is healed,
showing that even the most painful misunderstandings can be resolved with truth and
time. Their reunion represents the healing of old wounds.

• Fate and Divine Intervention: The king’s journey and the meeting with Marica show
how fate and divine forces (like the curse and blessings) play a role in guiding the
characters toward resolution.

• Fatherhood and Legacy: The discovery of the boy as the king’s son emphasizes the
importance of family, legacy, and the continuation of the royal line, which was a major
concern for the king throughout the play

Fun Fact: According to some traditions, India (Bharat) is named after Bharata, the son of
Shakuntala.

Sanskrit Play

Sanskrit plays are dramatic works written primarily in the Sanskrit language, a classical language
of India. They are a significant part of Indian theatre and literature, with a history dating back to
the first few centuries AD. Sanskrit plays often incorporate elements of music, song, and dance,
and were typically performed in court settings for noble and erudite audiences.
What is Sanskrit?
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, considered the mother of many Indian languages.

 It was used in writing religious texts, poems, and dramas.

 Famous works like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Vedas were written in Sanskrit.

 Even though some people are trying to bring back Sanskrit (revive it),
 Nobody in India speaks Sanskrit as their main, everyday language anymore (like
how people speak Hindi, English, or Tamil).
 In India’s census (a government survey done every 10 years), a few thousand people
say that Sanskrit is their "mother tongue" (their first language).
 But most experts believe those people aren’t actually speaking Sanskrit daily.
 People admire Sanskrit and want to honor it, but it's not really spoken as a daily
language by anyone today.

References

[Link]
#:~:text=Abhijnana%2DShakuntalam%20is%20a%20play,with%20a%20lot%20of
%20innovations.

Vyasa. (2004). Mahabharata – Adi Parva (K. M. Ganguli, Trans.). Project Gutenberg.
[Link] (Original work dated approx. 400 BCE – 400 CE)

Sarkar, S. (2021). Abhigyan Shakuntalam by Kalidasa Summary and Story. UPSC Notes.
[Link]

Bookworm Tutor. (n.d.). Shakuntala | Book Summary in English [Video]. YouTube.

[Link]

Geethanjali Kids – Rhymes and Stories. (n.d.). Shakuntala – Short Stories from Mahabharata –
Animated Stories for Children [Video]. YouTube. [Link]
converter/xOsYs

[Link]