Kama

Kama denotes longing and desire often with sexual connotation and can also refers to any wish, passion, pleasure of the senses, affection, love or enjoyment of life. This term is basically used to define any type of desire.

In Sakuntala the concept of Kama is constantly being shown especially between the king and Sakuntala. In the first four chapters it is obvious that the king is very much in love with her and wants to be with her however he doesn’t know how Sakuntala feels for him. He watched her in admiration and speaks highly of her to others. Later on he found out that Sakuntala loves him as well but is afraid to show it.

In one of the lines the king was speaking with his friend Vidusaka and said ” Friend, I can only ask this: did the great Creator first draw her in a masterpiece, and then touch life into his art? Or did he make her in his mind alone, Drawing on beauty’s every part? No-considering her singular perfection and maker’s true omnipotence, I suppose her some quite unique creation in femininity’s treasure house.”

It is clear to see he doesn’t she her as the average girl and longs for her in a way he haven’t done for anybody else. She is perfection in his eyes.

For Sakuntala she admits to her friends her yearning and love for the king when she said ” From that moment, I’ve been filled with longing for him….and that’s why I’m in this state.  The feeling of love, passion and yearning is present between them.