3. Shakuntala: Left No Evidence

There is no evidence of Dudhyant giving Shakuntala a ring before leaving her, nor were there any of Shakuntala’s friends around when the ‘incident’ happened, as Kalidas mentions in Abhijana Shakuntalam. Shakuntala was alone at her hermitage (Ashram). What happened is that Dushyant explained to her that Gandharva (with consent) and Rakshasa (without consent) forms of marriage are proper for a Kshatriya. He also gives her another option, a mixed form of both types of marriage (whatever that means).  Dushyant tells her he is full of desire, and so is she. Therefore, she shall become his wife according to the Gandharva form.

Shakuntala agrees, but she makes the condition that the son who will be born of her out of this union will become the heir-apparent to Dushyant’s throne. If he agrees to her condition, she will give her full consent.

Note: She puts a condition, which could mean she felt pressured. In the Mahabharat, it was not mentioned that Shakuntala felt the same way as Dushyant. In those days, selecting and declaring an heir-apparent to the throne was not a small matter. Maybe Shakuntala was trying to discourage Dushyant.

The King promises her that it will be done without giving her condition a thought.

Note: The Mahabharat explicitly mentions that Dushyant did not think it through.

Dushyant marries Shakuntala, and she accepts him as her husband. Dushyant returns to his capital after assuring her of his promise. He repeatedly tells her that he shall send her his four sorts of troops (with all honor) to take her to his capital. The King goes away. On his journey back to his capital, he begins to think of Rishi Kanva (Shakuntala’s adopted father). Dushyanth wonders what Kanva will do after learning what happened to his daughter. Thus, thinking all this, he enters his capital.

According to the Mahabharata, Dushyant doesn’t give or leave anything to Shakuntala as proof of their marriage. The first thing on his mind upon returning to his capital is not Shakuntala's safety or her future. It is about what happens to him after what he did to her. After all, he put her under pressure and took what was precious to a woman (her virginity) under the assumption that he could do that.