Post No. 14,932
Date uploaded in London – 2 September 2025
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are takn from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
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“Would’st thou the young year’s blossoms and the fruits of its decline,
And all by which the soul is charmed, enraptured, feasted, fed,
Would’st thou the Earth and Heaven itself in one sole name combine
I name thee, O Sakuntala! and all at once is said. —Goethe, German Poet
Shakuntala – Dushyanata story was used by Kalidasa, the most famous Indian poet, in his play Abijnana Shakuntalam. It was translated into English from Sanskrit by William jones in 1789. When it was translated into German two years later, it was praised by German poets . Goethe expressed profound admiration for Kalidasa’s Shakuntala, even incorporating its prologue’s structure into his own play, Faust. He famously wrote in praise, “If you want heaven and earth contained in one name/ I say Shakuntala and all is spoken”.
In Mahabharata original, King Dushyanta pretends as if he does not know the forest girl Shakuntala after he married her during a visit to the forest. In Kalidasa he forgets his marriage with Shakuntala due to a curse. His ring given to Shakuntala removes his curse. Their son Bharata ruled all over India and the country was named after him as Bhaarat. Indian constitution begins
All those born in this land before Bharata
All those born after, are called after his name.
Mahabharata ; Adi parva 1-69-49
Article 1 of the constitution says that India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states and the territory of India consists of that of the states, union territories specified in the First Schedule and other acquired territories.
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Shakuntala to Dushyanta
From Adhi parva chapters 68-74
It is a great mistake for a man to think that nobody knows his bad deeds. For the truth is
The sun, the moon, the wind, the fire, , the space, the earth, the water, the heart, the controller of life and death, the day, the night, the two transitions of the day and dharma – they all know man’s conduct.
A wife is the man’s half, wife his greatest friend.
A wife is the root of man’s redemption.
Given his wife the man fulfils the rites of passage.
With his wife a man is truly a householder.
Given his wife a man remains cheerful and happy; indeed, those with a wife are with the very source of the fulness of life.
In the moments of intimacy, the friend who speaks lovingly; in the acts of dharma, like a father; in adversity like a mother, the wife is ever protector of a man.
Because I have myself come to you, do not insult me. Your wife, I am worthy of respect, and yet you do me no honour. Why do you like a low man, dishonour me before this assembly? I am not crying in the wilderness, am I ? then why do you not listen to me? Dushyanta!
Do not lie. If you will pay no heed to my just and earnest prayer, your head will dis integrate into hundreds of pieces.
There is nothing more laughable in the world than this that those who are themselves wicked should call those who are good, wicked.
Neither knowledge of the Veda, nor all acquired by pilgrimage can ever equal steadfastness in truth.
There is no greater foundation of life than truth and superior to truth. Nor is there anything more damaging than untruth.
King, don’t abandon truth.
But if you must have this fascination for lies and will not trust the truth of what I say, then I shall, of my own will go away. With a man like you, I must not live.
But lastly, let me say this: King Dushyanta!, even without you this son of mine will one day rule over that part of the earth that has on its three sides the seas, and the Himalaya for its crown.
–subham—
Who is a Good Wife, Mahabharata answers, Part 1, Shakuntala, Dushyanta, Adi Parva, Goethe, Bharat, Bharata, constitution of india
Tamil and Vedas 