Shakuntala

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The story of Shakuntala originally appeared in the first book of the Mahabharata where the lineage of the chief characters is detailed. It was later adapted with minor changes into a play by Kalidasa, the great Sanskrit poet and dramatist. Shakuntala was the daughter of sage Vishwamitra and Menaka, a celestial maiden. When Shakuntala was born she was abandoned by Menaka. Sage Kanva found her and made her his foster daughter. One day King Dushyanta hunting in the forest met and wed her and returned to his palace promising to send for her. Later when Shakuntala goes to his court he denies her. But in the end the truth of her claims is proved and the couple are united forever. And it is claimed that it was their son, Bharat, a direct ancestor of the Pandava and Kaurava princes, who gave our country its name - BHARAT.