Shakuntala and Other Stories from Ancient India
Shakuntala and Other Stories from Ancient India

Author: Adithi Rao

Publisher: Penguin Books India

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9780143330394

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Six unforgettable stories of love and bravery, treachery and injustice, from ancient Indian literature Classical Sanskrit and Tamil writing teem with a myriad characters, and here we meet some truly memorable ones. This collection of six plays, poems and epics retold for children includes ‘Shakuntala’, a heartrending story of the love between the beautiful Shakuntala and King Dushyanta; ‘The Little Clay Cart’, where the evil designs of the king and his family are foiled by the righteous Charudatta and Vasantasena; ‘The Story of an Anklet’, about Kannagi, who wreaks a terrible revenge for the wrong done to her; ‘Manimekalai’, the extraordinary account of a woman’s search for her true calling; ‘The Last Trial of Sita’, in which the playwright gives a whole new ending to the Ramayana, and ‘The Broken Thigh’, about the final, desperate combat between Duryodhana and Bheema on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Accompanied by descriptions of the authors’ lives and the time when the stories were written, these lively retellings are an ideal introduction to some of the best-known stories from the Indian classics.

Shakuntala
Shakuntala

Author: Ashok Sinha

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2011-07-01

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13: 1462879349

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This book is an English translation of the Sanskrit classic Play Abhijnan Shakuntalam by the great poet and Playwright Mahakavi Kalidas, written around 220 CE. The play is about the strange fate of Shakuntala, a simple, beautiful ascetic lady. King Dushyant meets her and falls in love with her. They get married. After some time, king Dushyant returns to his capital, assuring her that he would soon send for her. However, due to the curse by a wrathful sage, Durvasa, the king completely forgets about her. Humiliated, Shakuntala goes off into the forest to live by herself. In due course, she gives birth to a boy, whom she names Bharat. Fortuitously, following certain turns of events, Durvasas curse is removed, and the king remembers all about Shakuntala. He tries to find her, but of no avail. One day, he accidentally meets the young boy, Bharat, in the forest. The family is thus united and happily returns to the capital. Bharat grows up to become a great emperor. The original name of India is Bhaarat after his name. Rama, worshipped by Hindus all over the world as an Incarnation of God, was a descendent (some 6000-7000 years ago) of emperor Bharat.

Sakuntala
Sakuntala

Author: Romila Thapar

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 0231156553

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The figure of Sakuntala appears in many forms throughout South Asian literature, most famously in the Mahabharata and in Kalidisa's fourth-century Sanskrit play, Sakuntala and the Ring of Recollection. In these two texts, Sakuntala undergoes a critical transformation, relinquishing her assertiveness and autonomy to become the quintessentially submissive woman, revealing much about the performance of Hindu femininity that would come to dominate South Asian culture. Through a careful analysis of sections from Sakuntala and their various iterations in different contexts, Romila Thapar explores the interactions between literature and history, culture and gender, that frame the development of this canonical figure, as well as a distinct conception of female identity.

Shakuntala
Shakuntala

Author: Namita Gokhale

Publisher: Penguin Books India

Published: 2023-03-10

Total Pages: 220

ISBN-13: 9780143062271

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Novel.

Shakuntala
Shakuntala

Author: DOLAT H. DOONGAJI AND

Publisher: Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Ltd

Published: 1971-04-01

Total Pages: 35

ISBN-13: 8189999486

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Shakuntala was the daughter of a nymph and a sage who abandoned her in the woods. Sage Kanva brought her up. King Dushyanta on a visit to the hermitage was struck with Shakuntala's beauty and they got married in a non-traditional ceremony. The king eventually returned back, leaving with Shakuntala a ring that carried his seal. After a when she came to live with the king, he did not remember anything about her and asked for proof of their being together. Shakuntala had lost the ring and could not produce any proof. So rejected by the king, she was carried away by her mother. The ring was one day found by a fisherman and produced before the king, this brought back his memory of Shakuntala and he longed to meet her. One day, on the way back from a great battle victory Dushyanta visited the sage Maricha's hermitage where Shakuntala and her son Bharata were living. Many were the signs by which the king recognized Bharata as his son. He asked Shakuntala for forgiveness and took both of them with him. Later, Bharata became an illustrious king and it is said that India's name "Bhaarata" is formed to mean 'the land of Bharata'. This story from Mahabharata provided the plot for a renowned play by the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa of the 5th century. The play was translated into English by William Jones at the end of the 18th century. It won praise from the German poet Goethe then and has been widely translated and read worldwide.

The Loom of Time
The Loom of Time

Author: Kalidasa

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2006-08-31

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 0141908025

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Kalidasa is the major poet and dramatist of classical Sanskrit literature - a many-sided talent of extraordinary scope and exquisite language. His great poem, Meghadutam (The Cloud Messenger), tells of a divine being, punished for failing in his sacred duties with a years' separation from his beloved. A work of subtle emotional nuances, it is a haunting depiction of longing and separation. The play Sakuntala describes the troubled love between a Lady of Nature and King Duhsanta. This beautiful blend of romance and comedy, transports its audience into an enchanted world in which mortals mingle with gods. And Kalidasa's poem Rtusamharam (The Gathering of the Seasons) is an exuberant observation of the sheer variety of the natural world, as it teems with the energies of the great god Siva.

Kalidasa Translations of Shakuntala, and Other Works
Kalidasa Translations of Shakuntala, and Other Works

Author: Kalidasa

Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan

Published: 2023-10-01

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13:

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Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works by Kalidasa: Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works introduces readers to the captivating world of classical Sanskrit literature through the works of Kalidasa, one of the greatest poets and playwrights of ancient India. The book presents English translations of Kalidasa's renowned works, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural and literary heritage of India. Key aspects of Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works: Literary Masterpieces: The book features translations of Kalidasa's most celebrated works, including the timeless play Shakuntala. Readers are immersed in the enchanting narratives, poetic language, and vivid imagery that characterize Kalidasa's writings. Cultural Significance: Kalidasa's works are not only literary treasures but also provide insights into the social, cultural, and philosophical aspects of ancient Indian society. The book offers readers a window into the traditions, beliefs, and values that shaped Indian civilization. Artistic Beauty: Kalidasa's poetic verses are known for their lyrical beauty and evocative descriptions. The translations capture the essence of his writings, allowing readers to appreciate the elegance and artistry of Kalidasa's words. Kalidasa: Kalidasa, an ancient Indian poet and playwright, is hailed as one of the greatest literary figures in Sanskrit literature. While little is known about his life, his works have had a profound influence on Indian literature and culture. Kalidasa's plays, such as Shakuntala and Meghaduta, showcased his mastery of poetic language, vivid imagery, and deep understanding of human emotions. His works continue to be celebrated for their artistic beauty, philosophical insights, and their portrayal of the complexities of love and the human experience. Kalidasa's contributions to classical Indian literature have earned him a revered status among poets and scholars alike.