The young,handsome and brave Maharaja Dushmanta lived in the city of Hastinapura.Having conquered all his enimies,his kingdom was at peace. Everyone was happy for he was a just and wise ruler.

Being skilled in hunting,King Dushmanta with some of his followers went on a hunting expedition one day.Many days passed as they wondered further away into the dense forest.One morning while riding very fast with one of his servants,he left his followers far behind and came upon an unknown part of the forest.

Many hours went by and he became hungry and thirsty but was too far away from the camp.He continued riding and admired the beautiful trees and fragrant flowers and enjoyed the cool breeze which was blowing.Soon he came to a clear and lovely stream.

There were some huts closeby and beneath sacred trees,there was a holy fire with clear flames.There sat the Rishis in deep prayer and meditation thus making the place as peaceful as can be.

King Dushmanta thought to himself that this must be the sacred stream Malini and nearby should be the ashram of the sage Kanwa.He approached the Rishis and bowed before them and then told them of his intentions to meet with the sage Kanwa.He was given directions how to find the Rishi and he once more continued into the forest.

When he came close to where the Rishi lived,King Dushmanta dismounted from his horse and took off all his kingly ornaments including his weapons.Leaving it with his servant,he asked him to wait there for him.

The King then humbly proceeded on foot and soon came upon the sage's hut.It was quiet there with no signs of human presence.He called out, "is anyone there"and his voice echoed through the quietness of the forest.

Then suddenly a young girl dressed in simple forest garments came out of the hut to greet him.She was exceedingly beautiful and she welcomed him with courtesy.She offered him a seat and brought him water for washing of his feet as was the custom.Then she said to him to rest for a while since the Rishi had gone to fetch some fruits and will soon return.

Dushmanta sat and looked at the simple but brave girl and his heart became filled with love and admiration for her.He then gently spoke to her and asked her how she came to be living in the Rishi's hut. She said to King Dushmanta that the sage Kanwa was her father.

Dushmanta was very amazed to hear this since he knew that the sage was never married.Seeing the surprised look on his face,she went on to explain to Dushmanta that she was in fact the daughter of the sage Vishwamitra and Menaka the apsara.She told him that she never knew her parents and while an infant,she was found surrounded by birds of prey on the river bank,by the sage Kanwa.He calls her Shakuntala the bird- protected one.

Dushmanta revealed his identity to Shakuntala and told her of his love for her and asked her to become his queen.Shakuntala who also had developed love for him in her heart accepted and they both exchanged marriage vows there and then.

When the sage Kanwa returned,Dushmanta prostrated himself before him and told him about his love for Shakuntala and their marriage vows. Seeing the sincerity in the King's eyes,the sage with the other Rishis gave them his blessings.

The sage Kanwa then invited Dushmanta to stay in the forest for a while .Dushmanta accepted and sent his servant back to Hastinapura to tell his ministers where he was.

Dushmanta lived in the humble home of Kanwa and Shakuntala and many a moment of joy they all had but being a king,he had to consider going back to his kingdom to perform hid kingly duties.

Dushmanta became very concerned about the acceptance of this simple girl as queen by his subjects.He was also concerned about if his subjects would accept her son as his successor to the throne,since he had promised Kanwa to do so.

Eventually,the day and time came when Dushmanta had to leave.He did his best to explain to Shakuntala that he had to leave her behind until he made proper arangements to receive her in his kingdom.She wanted no part of royalty but just wanted to be with him.She cried a lot as the moment of their separation came.

King Dushmanta now headed back for Hastinapura.As he left the forest further behind,his thoughts of his kingly duties increased until by the time he arrived home,he had no memory of Shakuntala and Kanwa.He took up his duties again and never remembered Shakuntala.

Shakuntala waited for a long while for news from Dushmanta but received none.A child was born to her and she longed to see Dushmanta more than ever so that he could see his son.Meanwhile Kanwa would console her so as to stop her from crying.

The boy reached seven years of age and the sage Kanwa dispatched Shakuntala to Hastinapura to take the boy to his father.Accompanied by the disciples of Kanwa,Shakuntala entered the kingdom of Dushmanta with the handsome boy.Surrounded by his ministers,Dushmanta and all present there looked on."Maharaja,I bring you your son.Fulfill now the promise you made at the hermitage of the sage Kanwa at our marriage"said Shakuntala.

The memory of those forgotten days immediately came back to Dushmanta but he couldn't reach out to them due to circumstances beyond his control.He now realised what injustice he had done to his wife and his son but still he didn't accept them.

Inwardly he wanted to accept them and prayed for help to do so but outwardly he pretended to be tough and harsh.Addressing her as a foolish woman and accusing her of making up stories made Shakuntala very sad and disappointed.She told him that if he did not want to accept her it was alright but he should keep the promise he made to make her son the sucessor to the throne.

Humiliated by his rejection,Shakuntala kissed her son and was about to leave the kingdom to return back to the forest when a voice from above echoed: "This is Dushmanta's faithful queen and this is his son and heir to his throne.His name shall be Bharata,the supporter for he shall be the support of all.Let Dushmanta receive his queen and son with joy and honour."

Dushmanta was happy to receive them and be rid of his miserable predicament.They all lived happily for many years until Dushmanta and Shakuntala passed on.Bharata ruled for many years and was liked by all. Eventually he too passed on to the great beyond.

Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

©Copyrighted