In Hindu mythology, Menaka is considered one of the most beautiful of the heavenly Apsaras.

She was sent by Indra, the king of the Devas, to break the severe penance undertaken byVishwamitra. She successfully incited Vishwamitra's lust and passion when he saw her swimming naked in a lake near a waterfall. She succeeded in breaking the meditation of Vishwamitra and the two made love for many years. However, she fell in genuine love with him. When Vishwamitra realizes that he had been tricked by Indra, he is enraged. But he merely curses Menaka to be separated from him forever, for he loved her as well as knew that she had lost

Later, Menaka is also said to have been the mother of Shakuntala, who was left at the hermitage of a wise sage when she was a baby. Later Shakuntala became the love of King Dushyanta and gave birth to his son Bharata.