Close Reading: The Recognition of Sakuntala (Group 5)
Nadia Sharif
ENG 2800
Close Reading Assignment II
Rough Draft
The Recognition of Sakuntala is a romantic sanskrit play that consists of various amount of themes such as love, heroism, and nature. The subjects in this play give a plethora of insights into the Puruṣārtha, or “object of human pursuit” of hinduism. The Purusartha refers to the primary objectives of human life which consist of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksa. In most Indian literature, the term “Kama” refers to passion, fervor, sexual desire, love, and lust. It is not always sexual and meticulously focuses on the wishful aspects of life. “Dharma” is a hindu term that depicts a lifestyle that pertains to a meaningful way of life. It pertains to aspects of duty, ethics, morality, and laws. The word “dharma” derives from the term “dhr” which denotes to “to hold, maintain, keep”. Aspects of kama and dharma are profoundly prominent in The Recognition of Sakuntala, specifically in the characters of Sakuntala and King Dushyanta.
The concept of love is an eminent and quite flagrant part of The Recognition of Sakuntala. However despite love, there are various other themes of the play that precisely relate to the abstraction of dharma. The concept of heroism and nobility is portrayed in the character of King Dushyanta, as he is responsible for his city and strives to be a leader. The concept of heroism relates to dharma, and portrays nobility, a sense of duty, and obligations of a leader. King Dushyanta was very engrossed and captivated with manners of his state. Kalidsa strives to depict him as an honorable and devout king. Similarly, Sakuntala is portrayed as a noble and innocent heroine. She is the precious adopted daughter of Kanva, and is depicted as a pure and chaste woman who fulfills her duties and responsibilities. Her friend Priyamvada says to Sakuntala,”Dear Śakuntalā, stay there just for a moment … With you next to it, that tree looks as though it’s been married to a beautiful, sinuous vine.”(Kalidasa) King Dushyanta also seems to immediately be attracted to her devotedness and nurturement. King Dushyanta thinks to himself, “Indeed, the seer, who would put to duty. And penance this supreme natural beauty, Tries to shape mahogany or metal With the rim of a dark lotus petal. Let it be. I’ll step aside and watch her discreetly.” He watches her from a distance and immediately falls in love. The sensibility and virtue that is instilled in the main characters stimulates the attraction they have for each other. It directly correlates to the idea of dharma and the “right way of living”.
The motif of love is quite flagrant in this play, as the meeting and budding of Sakuntala and Dushyanta’s romance was instigated in act one of the play. This directly relates to kama, the belief of a holistic need for sexual desire and passion. In hinduism, kama is an essential aspect of life as many people believe that a life without love and passion, in an empty life. Kama is celebrated in Hinduism and is deemed as crucial and fundamental for a human’s existence. This is depicted in the play as King Dushyanta immediately feels sentiments of arousal and lust for Sakuntala. He is attracted to her beauty and body before speaking to her, and had prompt sexual desires for her. In an aside, King Dushyanta says “Tied to her shoulder by a makeshift knot, The mottled garment chafes her youthful breasts, And folds her, like a blossom in a pale bud.”(Kalidasa) He watches her from afar and admires her allure and delicacy. Sakuntala is also immediately attracted to the king from his looks, as she is too shy to directly speak to him. There was a great amount of sexual tension between the two main characters. Sakuntala says to herself, “But how can it have happened that, simply at the sight of this man, I am shaken with a passion so at odds with the religious life?”(Kalidasa) She is even astounded at the deep attraction and allurement that captivates her desires by the charm of the king. Both characters were recognizing the sexual desires they had for each other, and immediately decided that they were in love. In hinduism, if kama is ignored there is a result of disarray and turmoil. So, they did not ignore the love they felt for each other and immediately got married. The conception of kama is evidently displayed in the feelings of the characters.
According to teachings of Hinduism, Kama and dharma are virtuous ways of life resulting in a prosperous and flourishing life filled with love, richness, and comfort. Many people of this culture believe in these terms and live their life accordingly. Kama and dharma are methodically portrayed in the dialect and actions of King Dushyanta and Sakuntala as they are both driven by these beliefs. The characters display a firmness in their character and what morals they postulate and deem to be honorable. Perhaps the beliefs of Kama, Dharma, Moksa, and Artha all unite to compose the fate of Sakuntala, establishing a reputation and guidance for the hindu peoples and serving as a form of direction through stories.
Kalidasa. The Recognition of Sakuntala: A Play In Seven Acts (Oxford World’s Classics) . OUP Oxford. Kindle Edition.
Kalidasa. The Recognition of Sakuntala: A Play In Seven Acts (Oxford World’s Classics) (p. 12). OUP Oxford. Kindle Edition.