Shakuntala

Mahabharata Adiparva Sambhavaparva section 66-73

Sri Sadgurbhyoh namah

Sage Vaisampayana continues to recount the history of Kuru race.

Once upon a time there was a king by name Dushyanta. He conquered all of earth and ruled it justly. Once on a hunting sport, king Dushyanta entered a dense forest. He killed many lions, tigers, deer and other wild animals. He lost his way and was thirsty and hungry. He saw a hermitage and went there. It was Sage Kanwa's hermitage. King Dushyanta did not see Kanwa but saw a beautiful maiden there, who gave him water and some fruits.

King asked her, "Who are you ? and who is your father ?". The maiden said, "I am daughter of Sage Kanwa, my name is Shakuntala". King said "Kanwa is an ascetic of rigid vows, it is not possible for him to have a daughter, please tell me about your birth". Then Shakuntala tells him about her birth.

Once upon a time, Sage Vishwamitra performed severe penance (tapas). God Indra was afraid about the intention of Vishwamitra. He wanted to disturb the penance of Vishwamitra, and requested divine apsara Menaka to disturb the concentration of Vishwamitra. Menaka said she is afraid of the powers of Vishwamitra.

Vishwamitra is no ordinary person. He was a born kshatriya but became a brahmana by his ascetic powers, He created a river for water for his daily prayers, the river is named Kausiki. He created a parallel universe including stars, moon, and sun for King trisanku.

Indra pursuades Menaka to go with the help of Vayu and Kama. Menaka was able to disturb the concentration of Vishwamitra and their union brought forth a female child . Menaka left that new born child on the banks of river Malini near Himavat mountains and goes off to heaven.

The new born child is protected by vultures who sat around protecting the child from tigers, wolves, and lions of the forest.

Sage Kanwa, who came there for his morning ablutions and prayers, saw that the child is protected by Shakunta birds (vultures), took the child with him and named her as Shakuntala (protected by vultures) and reared her with love and affection.

Hari OM