Audio Explanation
Summary Shākuntalam
Act I of Shākuntalam opens with King Dushyanta pursuing a spotted deer during a royal hunt. Just as he is about to shoot the deer, two hermits intervene, informing him that the deer belongs to the hermitage and must not be killed. The king immediately withdraws his arrow, showing his nobility and respect for sacred spaces.
The hermits invite the king to visit the hermitage of Sage Kanva, located on the banks of the Malini river. They inform him that Kanva is away at Somatirtha, and his foster daughter Shakuntala is presiding over the hermitage in his absence.
Upon entering the hermitage grounds, Dushyanta is struck by its peaceful atmosphere. He removes his royal ornaments and weapons as a mark of respect. While exploring, he encounters Shakuntala and her two friends, Anasuya and Priyamvada, who are watering the trees.
The king is immediately captivated by Shakuntala's beauty and her tender relationship with nature. He observes her comparing herself to a sister of the trees, watering them lovingly. The scene beautifully depicts Shakuntala's harmony with nature through imagery of jasmine vines, mango trees, and spring creepers. When a bee from the jasmine vine flies toward Shakuntala, her friends playfully suggest she call upon King Dushyanta for protection, hinting at the romantic connection that will develop.
About the Author
Kalidasa (4th-5th century CE)
Kalidasa is ancient India's greatest poet and playwright who wrote in classical Sanskrit. His literary genius has influenced Indian literature for centuries, and his works continue to be celebrated worldwide.
Major Works:
- Plays: Abhijnana Shākuntalam (Recognition of Shakuntala), Vikramorvaśīyam, and Mālavikāgnimitram
- Epic Poems (Mahākāvya): Kumārasambhava (The Birth of Kumara) and Raghuvamśa (The Dynasty of Raghu)
- Lyric Poetry: Meghadoota (The Cloud Messenger) and Ritusamhara (The Cycle of Seasons)
Kalidasa's unparalleled style combines exquisite imagery, emotional depth, and philosophical insight. His portrayal of nature, human emotions, and relationships remains timeless.
Arthur William Ryder (1877-1938)
Arthur William Ryder was a distinguished professor of Sanskrit at the University of California, Berkeley. He dedicated his career to making Sanskrit literature accessible to English readers through his elegant translations.
Notable Translations:
- Śudraka's Mrcchakatika (The Little Clay Cart) - 1905
- Kālidāsa's Abhijñāna Śākuntalam
- Kālidāsa's Meghadoota
- The Bhagavad Gita
- The Panchatantra
Ryder's translations are praised for their literary quality and faithfulness to the original Sanskrit texts.
Answers to Questions in the Article
a. 'Fear shrinks to half the body small...' Explain.
The deer is so terrified of the king's arrow that fear causes its body to physically contract. The deer keeps looking backward at the pursuing chariot while running, and this fear makes its body appear smaller, almost shrinking to half its normal size. This vivid imagery emphasizes the intense fear the hunted animal experiences.
b. 'I can hardly keep him in sight.' Why does the king say so?
The king says this because the deer is running extremely fast, leaping high and frequently, almost appearing to fly rather than run. Despite the king's pursuit in his chariot, the deer's agility and speed, combined with the rough terrain, make it difficult for the king to maintain visual contact with the animal. The deer is barely visible as it escapes.
c. What is the 'tender form' of the deer compared to?
The tender form of the deer is compared to blossoms that perish in fire. The hermit uses this metaphor to emphasize the deer's delicate, innocent nature and to illustrate how cruel it would be to destroy such gentle beauty with a deadly arrow, just as fire destroys tender blossoms.
d. What is the hermit's request to Dushyanta?
The hermit requests King Dushyanta to restore his arrow to the quiver and spare the deer's life. He appeals to the king's sense of dharma (righteousness), reminding him that weapons were given to him to protect the broken-hearted and deliver them from suffering, not to strike innocent creatures. The hermit emphasizes that the deer belongs to the hermitage and should not be killed.
e. The hermits refer to Dushyanta as '…a shining example of kings.' Why?
The hermits praise Dushyanta as "a shining example of kings" because he immediately obeys their request without hesitation or argument. When asked to spare the deer, he instantly withdraws his arrow and shows respect for the sanctity of the hermitage. This demonstrates his nobility, righteousness, compassion, and respect for dharma—qualities that make him an ideal king worthy of emulation.
f. What aspect of the king's character is revealed when he says, 'We must not disturb the hermitage'?
This statement reveals King Dushyanta's respect, humility, and spiritual awareness. Despite being a powerful king, he recognizes the sacredness of the hermitage and shows reverence for the spiritual space. He dismounts from his chariot and removes his royal jewels and weapons before entering, demonstrating his understanding that spiritual spaces require modesty and that royal authority should be set aside in such holy places.
g. Whose voice does the king hear, to the right of the grove?
The king hears the voices of hermit girls (Shakuntala, Anasuya, and Priyamvada) coming from the right of the grove. They are approaching to water the young trees in the hermitage.
h. '…we shall not be working for a reward,' says Priyamvada. What does she mean by this?
Priyamvada means that by watering the trees whose flowering time is past (rather than those about to bloom in summer), they would be performing a selfless act of service. Since these trees have already flowered and won't produce immediate visible results, caring for them represents pure compassion without expectation of reward or recognition—a higher spiritual deed motivated by genuine care rather than the desire to see or enjoy the fruits (flowers) of their labor.
i. Shakuntala feels that the mango tree is trying to tell her something. Do you think nature communicates with us? How?
Yes, nature does communicate with us, though not through words. Nature communicates through:
- Physical signs: Movement of branches, rustling of leaves, changes in weather
- Emotional connection: A sense of peace in natural settings, feeling drawn to certain places
- Symbolic meanings: Blooming flowers suggesting new beginnings, wilting plants indicating neglect
- Intuitive understanding: A deep connection that sensitive individuals like Shakuntala feel
Shakuntala's intimate relationship with the plants in the hermitage has made her attuned to nature's subtle messages. The mango tree's branches moving in the wind are its way of "speaking" to her, showing that those who live close to nature develop an intuitive understanding of its language.
j. The jasmine vine, the mango tree and Shakuntala blend in a unified image. Have you come across works of art in which humans are depicted in harmony with nature? List a few that you remember.
Literary Works:
- Wordsworth's poetry (e.g., "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud")
- Rabindranath Tagore's poems and songs
- Basho's haiku poetry
Visual Arts:
- Rajasthani and Mughal miniature paintings showing garden scenes
- Japanese art depicting humans in natural settings
- Kerala murals showing mythological figures amidst nature
Performing Arts:
- Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance depicting flowers, trees, and natural elements
- Kathakali performances with nature-themed stories
Modern Works:
- Films like "Avatar" showing deep connection with nature
- Paintings by M.F. Husain and Jamini Roy incorporating natural elements
k. What unseasonal quality of the spring creeper does Shakuntala notice?
Shakuntala notices that the spring creeper is covered with buds down to the very root, even though it is out of season. Spring creepers naturally bloom in spring, but this one is flowering at an unusual time. This unseasonal blooming is symbolically significant—it mirrors Shakuntala's own blooming youth and hints at the unexpected love that is about to blossom between her and King Dushyanta, who has arrived "out of season" in her life.
Key Themes
- Harmony with Nature: Shakuntala's deep connection with plants and trees reflects the hermitage's spiritual values
- Dharma and Righteousness: The king's respect for the hermitage and protection of innocent life
- Love at First Sight: The king's immediate attraction to Shakuntala
- Symbolism in Nature: Plants and trees mirror human emotions and relationships
- Spiritual Values: Respect for sacred spaces and selfless service
Important Literary Devices
- Metaphor: Comparing Shakuntala to a jasmine blossom, the deer to blossoms in fire
- Personification: Trees and creepers given human qualities
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the deer's flight, the hermitage's peace
- Foreshadowing: The spring creeper's unseasonal blooming hints at the love story to come
- Symbolism: The jasmine vine choosing the mango tree as husband parallels the coming union
Vocabulary
- Hermitage: A secluded religious dwelling
- Precinct: A defined area or boundary
- Bidding: A command or request
- Bewitching: Enchanting or captivating
- Dramatatis Personae: List of characters in a play
- Your Majesty: Formal address for a king or queen
- Exit: Stage direction indicating an actor leaves the scene