In Hindu mythology Shakuntala was considered to be the mother of Emperor Bharata and wife of Dushyanta who was founder of Paurav vansha. Shakuntala was born of Vishvamitra and Menaka. Rishi Kanva had found her in forest surrounded and protected by birds (Shakunton in Sanskrit), so she was named Shakuntala.

Once Dushyanta was going for hunting with his army he passed through a forest, similar to Nandankanan, full of bilv, ark, khadir, kapith, dahv etc. trees. That forest was undulating with interspered rocky hillocks. The extent of forest was over several yojans and there was no trace of any man. It was full of wildlife.

Dushyanta along with his super army happened to pass through extensive desert after which he reached a good forest. This forest was full of ashramas (hermitage). There were fruit bearing and shade bearing trees in this forest. There was no xerophytic tree. Within this forest he saw an ashrama of Rishi Kanva, the son of Kashyap Rishi. It was surrounded by Malini River. He found Shakuntala in this ashrama. Shakuntala was born of Vishvamitra and Menaka. Menka had come to lure Vishvamitra under the direction of Indra. When her objective was fullfilled she left Shakuntala just after birth on the banks of Malini River

Dushyanta saw Shakuntala in ashrama of Kanva 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. Bharata was born while Shakuntala awaited Dushyanta at her hermitage.

Shakuntala sets off to the capital Hastinapur, along with Bharata when he was grown up, to remind Dushyanta of their past love. Dushyanta does not recollect Shakuntala, but meanwhile hears eternal voice od Devas to accept her. Dushyanta weds Shakuntala, who becomes his queen and mother of his son, Bharata.

Reference

• Mahabharata Adiparva (62-69)

see also

The Recognition of Shakuntala