The Abhijñāna-Śakuntalaṁ
Author- Kālidāsa
Drama-It is a drama with seven chapters(called Aṅka).
Language - This play is a mixture of both Sanskrit and Prakrit languages.
Source - Mahabharata.
Praise of Abhijṇanasakuntalaṁ-
1. Wouldst thou the young years blossoms and the fruits of its decline.
And all by which the soul is charmed enraptured,feasted,fed,
Wouldst thou the earth and heaven itself in one sole name combined?
I name thee,O' Sakuntala!
And all at once is said.
--wrote by Gyetes (English Translated by E.B. Eastwick).
2.With his Śakuntalā Kālidāsa has entered has entered into a region, in which his fantasy did not remain confined to a narrow space and the thoughts of the Indian court life but was given a free play; it could raise itself to the world of legends, from which tendrils could move between the heaven and earth.
----Alfred Hillebrandt; Translated by Dr. S.N. Ghoshal).
3.Indeed, no composition of Kālidāsa displays more the richness and fertility of his poetical genius, the exuberance of his imagination, the warmth and play of his fancy,his profound knowledge of the human heart, his delicate appreciation of its most refined and tender emotions, his familiarity with the workings and counter-workings of its conflicting feelings, in short more entitles him to rank as the Shakespeare of India.
----Monier Williams.
The Abhijñāna-Śakuntala unlike most Sanskrit plays, is not based on the mere banality of a court-intrigue, but has a much more serious interest in depicting the baptism of youthful love by silent suffering. Contrasted with Kālidāsa's own Mālavikāgnimitra and Vikramorvaśīya, the sorrow of the hero and heroine in this drama is far more human, far more genuine; and love is no longer a light-hearten passion in an elegant surrounding, nor an explosive emotion ending in madness, but a deep and steadfast enthusiasm, nor rather a progressive emotional experience, which results in an abiding spiritual feeling.
----S.K. De; 'A History of Sanskrit Literature'.
Samāsa -
abhijnayate anena iti abhi-jñā + lyute, karane = abhijñānam. Abhijñānen Smritā Abhijñānasmrita - the third tātpurusha.
Abhijñān-Shakuntāla-Shaka Pārthivādivat Uttarapadlopi Karmadhāraya Samās.
Verse number -
First chapters(Aṅka) second chap. third chap. fourth chap. fifth chap. sixth chap seventh chap.
31(verse) 18 24 22 31 32 35
Total numbers of Verse=193
Characters Identity
Male Characters
Sutradhāra--- Facilitator of drama
Dushynta-- -Hero (king oh Hasthinapur)
Sūta-- charioteer of king
Baikhānasa- Disciple of konv
Mādhabya- Jester
Senāpati- Commander
Raivataka- Gatekeeper
Hārīta- Disciple of konv
Knva- The patriarch,Maharasi
Nārada- Sage boy
Goutama- Sage boy
Śārangarav- Disciple of konv
Śāradvata- Disciple of konv
Rishigana- Disciple of konv
Śishya- Disciple of konv
Vātāyana- Royal employee
Baitālikadvaya- The King's hymn reader
Somarāta- Priest of king
Śyala- The head of guards
Jānuka- City guard
Sūchaka- City guard
Dhībara- Fisherman
Mātali- Indra's charioteer
Sarvadamana- Son of king
Māricha- Sage
Gālaba- Disciple of Māricha
Woman Characters
Natī- Facilitators wife
Śakuntāla- Heroin
Anasūyā- Śakuntālas Friend
Priyaṁvadā- Śakuntālas Friend
Goutamī- Old ascetic
Tāpasīgana 3- Ascetic
Betravatī- Gatekeeper
Sānumatī- Menakas Friend
Paravrittikā- The maid of king
Madhukarikā- The maid of king
Chaturika- The maid of king
Subratā- Ascetic
Aditi- Mārichas wife
Yavanī- The maid of king
Others Supporting characters
Indra- King of the gods
Jayanta- Idra's son
Viswamitra- Father of Sakuntala
Menakā- Mother of Sakuntala
Durvāsā- Sage,Cursed Shakuntala.
Mitrāvasu- Raja's brother-in-law
Rājamātā- Mother of Dushyanta
Haṁsapadikā- kings wife
Vasumatī- kings wife
Taralikā- Vasumati's maid
Pishuna- kings Councillor
Dhanamitra- Sea-going merchant's
Kālnemi- giant
Markondeya- Sarvadaman's playmate
Briddhashakalya- Old disciple
Raksasagana- Disruptive monster
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