Dushyanta (or Dushyant) was an ancient king in Hindu mythology. Dushyanta was founder of Paurav vansha. His rule extended upto sea. Mlechchha and Atvic were part of his state. He was so powerful that he could carry ‘Mandar parvat’ on his arms. He is most famous for his love saga with Shakuntala.

Indian monarch

According to excerpts in the Mahabharata, Dushyanta is said to have ruled, either directly or through his governers, from Gandhara( present day Kandahar in Afghanistan) to the Vindhyas and beyond, and from Sindhu, (present day Pakistan) to Vang, (present day Bangladesh).

Historians interpret

Love of Shakuntala

The story of his encounter, marriage, separation and reuniting with his queen, Shakuntala, has been immortalized in The Recognition of Sakuntala by the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.

Dushyanta meets Shakuntala, who was a daughter of Vishvamitra and Menaka, while on exursion from his kingdom. According to different sources, Dushyanta was the crown prince or was awaiting to win back his kingdom from an enemy, when Dushyanta saw Shakuntala in ashrama (hermitage) of Kanva Rishi and fell in love with her. Dushyanta did gandharva marriage with Shakuntala at ashrama.Having to leave after some time, Dushyanta gives Shakuntala a royal ring as a sign of their love, promising her that he will come to her.

But when Dushyanta becomes king, he becomes too absorbed for many years

One day, a sage visits the hermitage, but Shakuntala, who is too absorbed in her love for Dushyanta, forgets to serve him food. In a fit of anger, the sage curses her, saying that the person she is thinking about will forget her.A shocked Shakuntala begs for forgiveness and the sage, after recollecting his calm, assures her that the person will remember her again when she shows some proof of their acquaintance.

So, Shakuntala sets off to the capital Hastinapur to remind Dushyanta of their past love. An accident occurs by which a fish consumes the royal ring, leaving Shakuntala with no formidable proof.

Dushyanta does not recollect Shakuntala, but his memory and love are re-kindled when a sage (not the same who cursed Shakuntala) recovers the ring and brings it to the court. Dushyanta weds Shakuntala, who becomes his queen and mother of his son, Bharata.

According to Mahabharata Adiparva, Bharata was born while Shakuntala awaited Dushyanta at her hermitage.

Bharata

According to most mythological sources, he was father of Emperor Bharata, who is generally credited with uniting India under his rule (see origin of India's name).

See also

• • Bharata, Hindu mythology, Mahabharata