Question

Abhignam Shakuntalam tells the love story between
1] Shakuntala and Dushyant
2] Romeo and Juliet
3] Prithviraj Chauhan and Samyukta
4] Shah Jahan and Nurjahan

Answer 1

Hint: It is a fascinating tale of love written by one of the most famous poets of India, Kalidasa. He was one of the best Sanskrit poets in India, and his life history is fascinating and exciting. Possibly the most beautiful work of his is Abhignam Shakuntalam.

Complete answer:
Shakuntala grows up to be a lovely young lady like her mother, Menaka. King Dushyant, while retreating from a deer hunt, stops by the hermit’s bungalow. There he noticed Sakuntala involved in friendly banter with her friends. She found her deer whining in pain and attempted to comfort it. Shakuntala admired the creatures living in the forest, and her affection for them deeply touched Dushyanta’s heart, so he requested her to forgive him for his outrageous behavior. She finally forgave him, and he wanted to remain in the forest for some days to attend to the wounded deer. They gradually fell in love and decided to get married. This is basically a love drama, and we can feel it throughout the play. Their love takes us on a journey that makes us smile, cry tears of happiness and sorrow, and sweeps us away by their passion. Their love was so intense that for the situation at the stunning surroundings, the inner happiness of Dushyanta and of the grace of Shakuntala triggers the warmth of love in him. Even though he was standing behind the bushes, he is not able to restrain himself from cherishing and relishing Shakuntala’s magical youth. Upon the marriage proposal, Shakuntala requested the King to wait until the sage kanava returns, but the powerful love which existed between them did not allow them to wait as both of them were enthusiastic about getting married even in the absence of the sage; hence, they secretly got married in the ritual of “Gandharva Vivaha” with Mother Nature as the witness. Although, the King did not keep his promise and hence began the waiting stage of Shakuntala, which is the real test of her true love. Shakuntala keeps waiting for Dushyant’s people to come and bring her to his palace. But they do not come.
So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: After a few days, the King got news of turmoil in his city and is directed to return. He leaves unhappily but vows to return soon and bring his beloved along with him. As a symbol of love, he gives her a signet ring and then promises to send an agent to escort her to the palace.