2. Shakuntala: Eight Types of Marriages

One day, Dushyanth goes on a hunting expedition. While chasing a deer, he crosses one forest and enters another. He spots a beautiful maiden in Rishi Kanva’s hermitage and enters the ashram armed.

Note: In those days, nobody was allowed to enter a peaceful ashram armed. It applied to kings, too.

He inquires about her whereabouts, and she tells him her name is Shakuntala. She reveals that she was born to Rishi Vishwamitra and a divine nymph, Menaka, but was abandoned by her parents in infancy. Rishi Kanva found her in the deep forest surrounded by Shakuntas (birds), so she was named Shakuntala. Then Dushyanth starts to speak to her candidly, praising her beauty and telling her that, upon seeing her, he has become smitten and restless. He offers her a world of wealth. He says he would do anything for her. He expresses his desire explicitly, saying that he exists for her and his heart is already into her. He asks her to marry him according to the Gandharva form.

Note: The Gandharva form of marriage is characterized by the union of two people through mutual consent.

Shakuntala tells Dushyanth that her father has gone from the hermitage to collect fruits. Kindly wait for a moment and ask for his permission to bestow her upon him. Dushyanth tells her that she should accept him herself. He convinces her by saying that one is one’s own friend and one can undoubtedly depend upon one’s own self. Therefore, she shall bestow her own self to him. Dushyanth persuades her by explaining the marriage ordinance. He says there are eight kinds of marriages.

Brahma: Pre-determined by fate/Already established/Marriage alliance fixed by their parents even before they were born.

Daiva: Marriage between the gods/Arranged marriage by the parents from both sides, and with mutual consent/Involves 'Kanya Dan' (donating a virgin by the father)

Arsha: Virtuous marriage, intellectual alliance/Simple, modest marriage often given a cow as a gift from the bride's side.

Prajapatya: Marriage for the good of people, mainly royal alliances.

Asura: Convincing the other party into an alliance by showing wealth and power.

Gandharva: Physical union by mutual consent.  

Rakshasa: Kidnapping and rape against one’s consent.

Paishacha: Alliance with a devilish intent to harm others.  

Dushayanth makes it clear to Shakuntala that to the kings, even the Rakshasa form is allowed. He says that out of eight, they are left with three choices. Asura, Gandharva, and Rakshasa. Shakuntala understands that he has already tried to convince her with wealth and power. But she didn’t budge to it. Now, she is left with two choices. Gandharva or Rakshasa.

The next blog is coming soon.