Shakuntala is a heroine in ancient Indian literature, best known for her portrayal in the ancient Sanskrit play Abhijnanashakuntalam, written by the classical poet Kalidasa in the 4th or 5th century A
Shakuntala writing a love letter to Dushyanta, a scene from the play painted by Raja Ravi Varma
The Birth of Shakuntala, one of the most famous lithographs by Raja Ravi Varma, depicting Vishvamitra rejecting Menaka and his daughter.
Dushyanta meet Shakuntala, from a folio of Razmnama, the 16th century Persian translation of the Mahabharata
Kalidasa's version features much dramatized variant of the tale. One of Kalidasa's additions include the sage Durvasa cursing Shakuntala (pictured)
Vishvamitra is a legendary figure in Hindu mythology, and one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient India. Vishvamitra is one of the seven Brahmarshi. According to Hindu tradition, he is st
Shakuntala
…Mahabharata (c. 400 BC - 400 AD), where she appears in the Adi Parva ("The Book of Beginnings"). In both narratives, Shakuntala is the daughter of the sage Vishvamitra and the celestial nymph Menaka. Abandoned at birth, she is raised by the sage Kanva in a forest hermitage. She later falls in love with King Dushyanta…
Vishvamitra by Raja Ravi Varma
Vishvamitra is addressed as maharsis by Brahma and other gods alarmed by his austerities
Menaka, the beautiful apsara, comes to seduce Vishvamitra from his austerities. Artist, Miskin.
Vishvamitra is seduced by Menaka.