12. The Showdown

Shakuntala stepped into the royal court with her son, emanating a radiant glow that rivaled the brilliance of the morning sun. The atmosphere around them seemed to shimmer with their presence as she was introduced to him. The disciples of the Rishi, having diligently conveyed all the details to the king, made their way back to the serene embrace of the hermitage. With grace, Shakuntala performed a reverent bow to the king and spoke passionately, "O king, this is your beloved son. Allow him to take his rightful place as your heir. You, dear noble one, entrusted this god-like boy into my care. O paragon of virtue, fulfill the promise you made to me. O illustrious ruler, remember the sacred agreement we forged during our union at the hermitage of Kanva."

Note: The relationship between them was devoid of affection, as opposed to the one Kalidas vividly illustrated. It was a pact rather than a romance, marked by an absence of warmth or genuine connection.

As the king listened to her words, a flood of memories surged through his mind, yet he maintained his composure and replied coldly, “I remember nothing of your claims. O wicked ascetic woman, who are you to me? I have no recollection of any bond we may have shared as owed in accordance with Dharma, Artha, or Kama. Depart now, do as you wish, for I am uninterested.” At his harsh response, the beautiful ascetic woman felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. The weight of his rejection pressed heavily upon her, and in an instant, she was overwhelmed with sorrow. She stood frozen in place, her elegant figure resembling a statue, the light fading from her eyes as she fainted from the depth of her grief.

Soon, her eyes glimmered like molten copper; her lips trembled with emotion as she leveled a searing gaze at the king, one that seemed to burn him to the core. With immense effort, she restrained the fury and profound intensity of her resolve. Gathering her thoughts in that charged moment, she addressed her husband, her look a blend of sorrow and indignation. “O great king, possessing all knowledge, how can you, in such a petty manner, claim that ‘you know nothing"?

Make sure to check out the full content in the book, which will be released in 2027.