Eight kind of marriages - Bharata

Mahabharata Adiparva Sambhavaparva section 73
Sri Sadgurbhyoh namah

King Dushyanta asks Shakuntala to marry him. He describes the Eight ways a marriage can happen. They are Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paishacha. Of which first 4 are permissible for Brahmanas, and first 6 are permissible for Kshatriyas. For a king Even Rakshasa way is also permitted. Paishacha should never be practiced. He entreats her to marry him in either Gandharva (boy and girl mutually agree to marry), or any of the form of marriage or a combination of all. Shakuntala sets a condition that her son will be the future monarch. King agrees immediately and they marry according to Gandharva tradition. After sometime King goes to his kingdom promising her that he will send for her.

Sage kanwa returns to hermitage and assures his daughter that what she has done (gandharva marriage) will in no way undermine her virtue as it is sanctioned for kshatriyas under religion.

Shakuntala gives birth to a son. The son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala was possessing extra ordinary strength and grace. He used to restrain lions, tigers and wild animals at the age of four. So they named him 'Sarvadamana' (restrainer of all).

Sage Kanwa send his daughter Shakuntala along with few disciples of his to the Kingdom of Dushyanta. Shakuntala goes to the palace and reminds Dushyanta that here is his son, and he should make Sarvadamana as heir apparent. Dushyanta knowingly refuses to accept Shakuntala, saying that she is without character, and Sarvadamana is not his son. On hearing this insult, Shakuntala says to king the following words,

"Those who sin think that none watches them. But Sun, Moon, Air, Fire, Earth, Sky, Water, the heart, Yama (god of death), day, night, and Dharma, all are witness to the acts of man.

Husband goes into the womb of wife and comes out as son. Therefore a wife is called as Jaya (She from who one is born). There is a hell with name 'Puth', the son is called 'Puthtra', because he rescues from that hell. A wife is better-half of man, she is root of dharma (religion), artha (accomplishment) and kama (desire). A man comes out of wife as son, so a man should look upon his wife with respect. There is no happiness greater than seeing a son rushing towards you. Nothing is more happier than the embrace of an infant son. Veda mantras say about offspring, you have come out of my body, my heart, may you live a hundred years and prosper and continue my race. Truth is heavier than thousand yajnas, O King, and stand true to your word. There is nothing superior to Truth. I will leave now."

Saying this, Shakuntala left the palace. As soon as she left, a divine voice from the sky spoke, "O King, This boy indeed is your son, and Shakuntala your wife. A husband divides his body and enters into the womb of his wife to come out as son. So the son is verily the father himself. Accept your son and wife".

King Accepted his son and wife, and placated her saying that, "Our union took place in private, so people may cast doubts on our son, hence I knowingly spoke like that".

The son Sarvadamana is named as Bharata (cherished one) as Dushyanta cherished him as his son.

The great country India is originally named as Bharata after this child's name.

Bharata means Cherished one. Cherished in knowledge and wisdom.

My commentary :

This above monologue by Shakuntala signifies the marital dharma, motherhood, fatherhood, Truth and how a son(or daughter) is important.

Hari Om