Upon refusal to accept Sakuntala as wife and Bharata as son by King Dusyanta, Sakuntala gave a very passionate speech in the Sabha.
A loyal wife is skilled in household affairs, has borne a son, devoted to her husband, and knows no one but her husband. A wife is crucial to a man, the primary friend, the basis of religion, profit, and longing, and the basis of salvation. Those with wives can perform religious acts, lead domestic lives, find cheerfulness, and achieve fortune. Sweet-speeched wives are friends in joy, fathers in religious acts, mothers in sickness and woe, and solace in the deep woods for travellers. Having a wife earns a man trust from all, making her the most valuable possession. Even when the husband leaves this world for the region of Yama, a devoted wife accompanies him. A wife going before waits for her husband; if the husband goes first, the chaste wife follows closely. For these reasons, marriage exists. The husband cherishes his wife’s companionship, both now and hereafter. Learned individuals say that one is reborn as one’s son. Therefore, a man whose wife has borne a son should regard her as his mother. Seeing the face of the son he has begotten upon his wife, like his own reflection in a mirror, a man feels as happy as a virtuous man attaining heaven. Men tormented by mental grief or bodily pain find refreshment in the companionship of their wives, like a perspiring person in a cool bath. A man should never act disagreeably towards his wife, even in anger, as his happiness, joy, and virtue are all depending on her. A wife is the sacred field in which the husband is reborn.
The husband entering the womb of the wife emerges as the son. Therefore, those knowledgeable of the Vedas call the wife Jaya (she of whom one is born). Because the son rescues ancestors from the hell called Put, he is named Putra (the rescuer from Put). Through a son, one conquers the three worlds. Through a son’s son, one enjoys eternity. Through a grandson’s son, great-grandfathers enjoy everlasting happiness. What happiness is greater than what a father feels when his son, even covered in dust, runs towards him and embraces him? Why then do you treat with indifference such a son, who has approached you himself and looks at you with longing eyes? Even ants support their eggs without destroying them; why should you, a virtuous man, not support your own child? The touch of soft sandal paste, women, and cool water is not as agreeable as the touch of one’s own infant son in one’s embrace. As a Brahmana is the foremost of bipeds, a cow the foremost of quadrupeds, and a protector the foremost of superiors, so is the son the foremost of agreeable objects to the touch. Let this handsome child embrace you. There is nothing more agreeable in the world than the embrace of one’s son.
An ugly person considers himself handsomer than others until he sees his own face in the mirror. When he finally sees his reflection, he perceives the difference between himself and others. Someone truly handsome taunts no one. Those who constantly speak ill of others become revilers. Like pigs in a flower garden, the wicked always gravitate towards evil amid good words. However, the wise, upon hearing speeches interspersed with both good and evil, accept only what is good, like geese that extract milk from water. Speaking ill of others pains honest people, but delights the wicked. Honorable individuals respect the old, whereas the wicked find joy in criticizing the good. Honest individuals are happy in not seeking faults, while the wicked find joy in doing so. The wicked speak ill of the honest, but the honest do not retaliate, even when harmed. It is absurd that the wicked label the truly honest as wicked.
Even atheists are bothered by those who stray from truth and virtue, acting like venomous snakes. As someone nurtured in faith, I am even more vexed by them. A man who ignores his own son, who is his image, cannot attain his desired worlds, and the gods destroy his fortune and possessions. The Pitris have said that a son continues the family line and is the best of all religious acts. Therefore, no one should abandon a son.
Manu has identified five kinds of sons: those begotten by oneself upon his wife, those got as a gift from others, those purchased for a consideration, those reared with affection, and those begotten upon other women than one’s wife. Sons support a man’s religion and achievements, enhance his joys, and rescue deceased ancestors from hell. Therefore, O king, you should not abandon a son. The dedication of a tank is more meritorious than that of a hundred wells; a sacrifice is more meritorious than the dedication of a tank; a son is more meritorious than a sacrifice; and truth is more meritorious than a hundred sons. A hundred horse sacrifices were once weighed against truth, and truth was found to be heavier.
O king, truth is equal to studying the entire Vedas and performing ablutions in all holy places. There is no virtue equal to truth, and nothing superior to it. Truth is God himself; truth is the highest vow. Therefore, do not violate your pledge, O monarch! Let truth and you be united. If you place no trust in my words, I will leave on my own. Indeed, your companionship should be avoided. But remember, O Dushyanta, that when you are gone, this son of mine shall rule the whole Earth surrounded by the four seas and adorned with the King of the Mountains.
Shakuntala’s passionate speech teaches us several valuable lessons about the roles and importance of family, truth, and virtue. Here are some important points:
The Importance of a Devoted Wife: A wife plays a crucial role in a man’s life, being half of him, the first of friends, and the root of religion, profit, and desire. She is also essential for achieving salvation. This emphasizes the value of mutual respect, love, and partnership in marriage.
Respect and Reverence in Marriage: Treating one’s wife with respect and reverence is fundamental, regardless of circumstances. A man’s happiness, joy, and virtue are entwined with his wife’s well-being and respect.
The Role of Sons in Legacy: Sons are extensions of their fathers, carrying on the family line, rescuing ancestors from hell, and providing immense joy and satisfaction. This highlights the cultural and religious significance of progeny in ensuring the continuation of family and spiritual lineage.
The Sacredness of Truth: Truth is paramount, considered equal to studying the entire Vedas and performing ablutions in holy places. It is the highest vow and is equated with God himself. Upholding truth is vital for maintaining integrity and righteousness.
Mutual Dependence and Support: The relationship between husband and wife, and between parents and children, is one of mutual dependence and support. Each contributes to the happiness, prosperity, and spiritual well-being of the other.
Parental Responsibility: Ignoring one’s own child is a grave sin that can lead to the loss of desired worlds and the destruction of fortune and possessions. A son is regarded as the best of all religious acts, underscoring the importance of parental responsibility and care.
Acceptance and Nurturing: The analogy of swine and geese teaches that wise individuals focus on the good in others and in situations, while the wicked focus on the bad. This encourages a mindset of acceptance, nurturing, and focusing on positive attributes.
Consequences of Abandonment: Abandoning a son or one’s responsibilities can have severe consequences, both spiritually and materially. This reinforces the duty of care and protection within the family unit.
Merit and Virtue: The speech highlights various meritorious acts, such as the dedication of tanks, sacrifices, and truth, ranking them in order of their spiritual significance. Truth stands at the highest level, showing its supreme importance in a virtuous life.
Endurance of Virtue Over Falsehood: Despite being wronged or misunderstood, maintaining honesty and virtue is crucial. The wicked may speak ill, but the virtuous do not retaliate, showcasing the endurance and strength of true virtue over falsehood.
The power of words and speech: It shows how eloquence and reasoned argument can defend one’s position and appeal to another’s conscience.
The value of forgiveness and non-retaliation: It suggests that virtuous people do not seek revenge even when wronged.
The importance of keeping promises: Sakuntala repeatedly emphasizes the significance of honouring one’s word and commitments.
Shakuntala’s speech serves as a reminder of the profound values embedded in familial and societal relationships, emphasizing respect, truth, and duty as pillars of a harmonious and virtuous life. It emphasizes personal integrity, family values, social responsibility, and spiritual growth, providing guidance for ethical living and harmonious relationships.