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Shakuntala: The Woman Wronged
The story of Shakuntala is well known—her upbringing in the ashram, her meeting with Dushyant, their marriage and subsequent separation due to a curse and their final joyous reunion. What is not so well known, however, is that the gentle, lovelorn Shakuntala immortalized by Kalidasa is very different from the original Shakuntala of the Mahabharata—a strong, fiery woman who stood up for her rights when she was spurned by her beloved.
In this thoughtful retelling of the story of Shakuntala, Utkarsh Patel brings to the fore the original heroine, the bold and beautiful daughter of Menaka and Vishwamitra who fights to get herself and her son the recognition they deserve. She does not surrender to anyone, not even the king of Hastinapur. Retold to suit the modern-day context, Shakuntala: The Woman Wronged is a must-read to understand one of the most powerful yet underrated female characters of the Mahabharata.
In this thoughtful retelling of the story of Shakuntala, Utkarsh Patel brings to the fore the original heroine, the bold and beautiful daughter of Menaka and Vishwamitra who fights to get herself and her son the recognition they deserve. She does not surrender to anyone, not even the king of Hastinapur. Retold to suit the modern-day context, Shakuntala: The Woman Wronged is a must-read to understand one of the most powerful yet underrated female characters of the Mahabharata.
- GenresMythology
296 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
17 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Utkarsh Patel
5 books7 followersUtkarsh Patel is a corporate-professional-turned-mythologist and now the author of “Shakuntala – The Woman Wronged”, published by Rupa Publications, and "Satyavati", a mobile-book published by Hungry Ogre Publications. He is a professor of Comparative Mythology at the Mumbai University and has qualifications in Mythology, both Indian and World from Mumbai University. He has been writing a Blog, ‘This is Utkarsh Speaking’ (www.utkarshspeak.blogspot.in) for close to six years now, and is a founder member of ‘Talking Myths Project’ (www.talkingmyths.com), an online archive of traditional tales from the Indian Sub-continent.
He also writes a regular columns for different portals and is also a regular speaker and lecturer on varying subjects of mythology and other topics, at various forums, litfests, organisations and colleges.
He also writes a regular columns for different portals and is also a regular speaker and lecturer on varying subjects of mythology and other topics, at various forums, litfests, organisations and colleges.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 20, 2016
Mythological fictions are at its peak these days. Most of them concentrates around Shiv, Vishnu, Ramayana, Mahabharata. Shakuntala's story is a piece of pastry from the big cake of Mahabharata. The book is the gift to the readers who are not satisfied with the Kalidasa version of Shakuntala's tale, which renders that the curse of Rishi Durvasav is a reality and that Dushyant did forget about Shakuntala, the poor, helpless, inable girl. Utkarsh Patel tells us that no, Shakunthala is not an 'abala nari'. She is a fiery, headstrong, powerful, intelligent woman who stood for her rights.
From the beginning of the story, we can see a signature of the author. Instead of blindly reproducing the story from Mahabharata, author made those changes which made the book more conceivable. I liked the fact that he retained Anasuya and Priyamvada from Kalidasa's version of Shakuntalam.
The arguement between Sage Kanva and Shakuntala on the curse of Ahalya provides a new light on the centuries old legend. The way author tried to put forth a forgotten or ignored fact is exemplary.This and many other arguments of Shakuntala will leave the readers wanting more and more. Menaka's character proves that being a human, apsara or god doesn't classify someone in the distinction of motherhood.
Great care has been taken in the character craft. The book cover is quite appealing and in tune with the story.
One of the man issues I had was with the type setting. In many chapters, the dialogues are all clubbed into a single paragraph, which confuses the reader as to who is speaking to whom. Dushyant's hunting spree'could have been cut short into a single chapter.
One Liner
A mythological fiction with a contemporary relevance.
From the beginning of the story, we can see a signature of the author. Instead of blindly reproducing the story from Mahabharata, author made those changes which made the book more conceivable. I liked the fact that he retained Anasuya and Priyamvada from Kalidasa's version of Shakuntalam.
The arguement between Sage Kanva and Shakuntala on the curse of Ahalya provides a new light on the centuries old legend. The way author tried to put forth a forgotten or ignored fact is exemplary.This and many other arguments of Shakuntala will leave the readers wanting more and more. Menaka's character proves that being a human, apsara or god doesn't classify someone in the distinction of motherhood.
Great care has been taken in the character craft. The book cover is quite appealing and in tune with the story.
One of the man issues I had was with the type setting. In many chapters, the dialogues are all clubbed into a single paragraph, which confuses the reader as to who is speaking to whom. Dushyant's hunting spree'could have been cut short into a single chapter.
One Liner
A mythological fiction with a contemporary relevance.
August 8, 2016
A confession – I’d totally forgotten that Ved Vyas is the original writer (inspite of being an ardent adorer of his work). It’s Kalidasa’s romanticized version that was ingrained into my mind since childhood.
Yes, Shakuntala used to be my most-wanted bedtime story. Of course, it’s not the Vyas version that Mom narrated to me – and finally I know why. Vyas was a hardcore realist. No illusions, no lovey-dovey hackneyed sentiments. No blurred vision. Just cold, brutal realism. A huge hug of gratitude to Utkarsh Patel for re-introducing us to Ved Vyas’s Shakuntala. A woman, in so many ways, a worthy predecessor for Vyas’s Draupadi.
Kalidas’s Dushyant had the convenient excuse of Durvasa’s curse to forget Shakuntala after the secretive Gandharva marriage. Vyas’s Dushyant seduces, uses and discards Shakuntala.
Twitter review – A tale from abandonment to abandonment, culminating in liberation. An emphatic and empathetic female pov.
Shakuntala is the love child of Kshatriya-turned–sage Vishwamitra and the heavenly nymph Menaka. Rejected by an furious father & forced into abandonment by a reluctant Menaka, Shakuntala is adopted by sage Kanva. Shakuntala nurtures an independent mind, curious queries and clarity of thoughts as she questions men, power,dharma, laws and politics around her.
She gets an opportunity to practice what she preaches, when King Dushyant weds, beds and then dumps her. Shakuntala cuts through the riff-raff to reveal his ugly self to Dushyant. She ensures her son Bharat’s royal heirloom before she walks off into a lonely horizon with her pride, values & dignity intact.
Pros:
An opportunity to revel in Ved Vyas’s original genius and his consistent homage to fiercely independent women.
Kudos to Utkarsh for writing so tenderly & heartfelt from a woman’s pov, whether it’s about Ahalya, Menaka, Shakuntala or Madhavi.
His reply: I think all of us have a woman in us and all women have a man within them. Its the theory of anima and animus which works. In my case, the understanding of the women's psyche is probably more defined and I have never shied away from accepting this factor.
My Q: Did Dushyant have other marriages in the 6 years between his 1st and last meeting with Shakuntala? If so, what would be status of Bharat vis-a-vis other royal heirs and the heirarchy?
His reply: Majority of the versions are silent about Dushyant’s other wives. It could just be a guilt factor which did not allow him to remarry. I have brought his angle about his guilt, when the minister suggests that he get married but Dushyant demurs.
Utkarsh also neatly juxtaposes Dushyant’s hunter views ‘ He did not like to hunt if there was no chase.’ It fits in perfectly with Dushyant’s views on feminine conquests.
Cons:
First few pages have dialogues of 2 characters crowded into one paragraph. It’s wholly unexpected from a Rupa publication.
I found it self-defeating when Shakuntala extracts a pre-nuptial promise of legitimacy for her son. She however extracts none for a daughter, thus making a daughter as vulnerable to subsequent slurs as herself. Given her feminist tirade, it seems out of character. But that probably, is a query targeted at Vyas rather than at Utkarsh.
The title should have read ‘A woman to be proud of’ instead of ‘A woman wronged’. The latter gives Shakuntala a victim tag, which she vehemently refused to become.
Verdict: Timely & time tested, well researched (Utkarsh does hold a degree in Comparative Mythology from Mumbai university) and well presented woman’s perspective by a male author. Recommended for admirers of mythology, Ved Vyas and fiery women.
Yes, Shakuntala used to be my most-wanted bedtime story. Of course, it’s not the Vyas version that Mom narrated to me – and finally I know why. Vyas was a hardcore realist. No illusions, no lovey-dovey hackneyed sentiments. No blurred vision. Just cold, brutal realism. A huge hug of gratitude to Utkarsh Patel for re-introducing us to Ved Vyas’s Shakuntala. A woman, in so many ways, a worthy predecessor for Vyas’s Draupadi.
Kalidas’s Dushyant had the convenient excuse of Durvasa’s curse to forget Shakuntala after the secretive Gandharva marriage. Vyas’s Dushyant seduces, uses and discards Shakuntala.
Twitter review – A tale from abandonment to abandonment, culminating in liberation. An emphatic and empathetic female pov.
Shakuntala is the love child of Kshatriya-turned–sage Vishwamitra and the heavenly nymph Menaka. Rejected by an furious father & forced into abandonment by a reluctant Menaka, Shakuntala is adopted by sage Kanva. Shakuntala nurtures an independent mind, curious queries and clarity of thoughts as she questions men, power,dharma, laws and politics around her.
She gets an opportunity to practice what she preaches, when King Dushyant weds, beds and then dumps her. Shakuntala cuts through the riff-raff to reveal his ugly self to Dushyant. She ensures her son Bharat’s royal heirloom before she walks off into a lonely horizon with her pride, values & dignity intact.
Pros:
An opportunity to revel in Ved Vyas’s original genius and his consistent homage to fiercely independent women.
Kudos to Utkarsh for writing so tenderly & heartfelt from a woman’s pov, whether it’s about Ahalya, Menaka, Shakuntala or Madhavi.
His reply: I think all of us have a woman in us and all women have a man within them. Its the theory of anima and animus which works. In my case, the understanding of the women's psyche is probably more defined and I have never shied away from accepting this factor.
My Q: Did Dushyant have other marriages in the 6 years between his 1st and last meeting with Shakuntala? If so, what would be status of Bharat vis-a-vis other royal heirs and the heirarchy?
His reply: Majority of the versions are silent about Dushyant’s other wives. It could just be a guilt factor which did not allow him to remarry. I have brought his angle about his guilt, when the minister suggests that he get married but Dushyant demurs.
Utkarsh also neatly juxtaposes Dushyant’s hunter views ‘ He did not like to hunt if there was no chase.’ It fits in perfectly with Dushyant’s views on feminine conquests.
Cons:
First few pages have dialogues of 2 characters crowded into one paragraph. It’s wholly unexpected from a Rupa publication.
I found it self-defeating when Shakuntala extracts a pre-nuptial promise of legitimacy for her son. She however extracts none for a daughter, thus making a daughter as vulnerable to subsequent slurs as herself. Given her feminist tirade, it seems out of character. But that probably, is a query targeted at Vyas rather than at Utkarsh.
The title should have read ‘A woman to be proud of’ instead of ‘A woman wronged’. The latter gives Shakuntala a victim tag, which she vehemently refused to become.
Verdict: Timely & time tested, well researched (Utkarsh does hold a degree in Comparative Mythology from Mumbai university) and well presented woman’s perspective by a male author. Recommended for admirers of mythology, Ved Vyas and fiery women.
September 8, 2016
Shakuntala – The Woman Wronged – the title seemed so intriguing to me that I picked up and started reading it without reading the blurb. I was confident enough that the book was going to be one of its kind and that I wouldn’t regret reading it.
While the story of Shakuntala has been told and retold countless times, this is nevertheless a refreshing take on the mythological story that has been narrated in the subcontinent since times immemorial. Utkarsh re-imagines Shakuntala as a sort of feminine icon unlike the helpless woman as in the original story. Most mythological stories in the Indian subcontinent- barring a few have focused on the male protagonists, this new breed of authors who re-imagine old tales with new outlooks is an interesting concept and is not likely to die anytime soon.
Read my full review here: www.new-asian-writing.com/book-review...
While the story of Shakuntala has been told and retold countless times, this is nevertheless a refreshing take on the mythological story that has been narrated in the subcontinent since times immemorial. Utkarsh re-imagines Shakuntala as a sort of feminine icon unlike the helpless woman as in the original story. Most mythological stories in the Indian subcontinent- barring a few have focused on the male protagonists, this new breed of authors who re-imagine old tales with new outlooks is an interesting concept and is not likely to die anytime soon.
Read my full review here: www.new-asian-writing.com/book-review...
May 12, 2021
"Men, though benevolent, were narrow-minded, when a woman expressed her views. To be able to defend herself in a world dominated by norms made by men was an ability her daughter would need."
Shakuntala was the mother of King Bharat, after whom our country, India, was named. Though she has been immortalized by the great poet Kalidas, in his work Abhijnanshakuntalam, but the original Shakuntala of Ved Vyas was quite different. She was a fierce woman, a force to be reckoned with.
Patel has brought out that fiery lady in this retelling. Shakuntala's story is the proof that cruelty and injustice against women has been embedded in our patriarchal society since times immemorial. The book also tells us the plight of women like Menaka, Madhavi, and Ahalya. All of them were used by men to fulfill their whims and demands and thrown away or forced to live a cursed life.
But Shakuntala was different. She refused to mutely accept what the men in her life decided for her. She fought and stood for what was rightfully hers. She's a beacon for all us women to raise our voices, to take the reins of our life in our own hands before the men do so.
The book doesn't only depict injustice against women by men, but also highlights how a girl child, brought up in loving family can thrive and grow into a beautiful and strong woman. Sage Kanva, Shakuntala's father, showered her with love and encouraged her to have her own opinions and voice them out aloud and I believe that's what gave her the strength to fight her own battles.
Do give this book a read if you love mythology and want to understand why India is the way it is.
Shakuntala was the mother of King Bharat, after whom our country, India, was named. Though she has been immortalized by the great poet Kalidas, in his work Abhijnanshakuntalam, but the original Shakuntala of Ved Vyas was quite different. She was a fierce woman, a force to be reckoned with.
Patel has brought out that fiery lady in this retelling. Shakuntala's story is the proof that cruelty and injustice against women has been embedded in our patriarchal society since times immemorial. The book also tells us the plight of women like Menaka, Madhavi, and Ahalya. All of them were used by men to fulfill their whims and demands and thrown away or forced to live a cursed life.
But Shakuntala was different. She refused to mutely accept what the men in her life decided for her. She fought and stood for what was rightfully hers. She's a beacon for all us women to raise our voices, to take the reins of our life in our own hands before the men do so.
The book doesn't only depict injustice against women by men, but also highlights how a girl child, brought up in loving family can thrive and grow into a beautiful and strong woman. Sage Kanva, Shakuntala's father, showered her with love and encouraged her to have her own opinions and voice them out aloud and I believe that's what gave her the strength to fight her own battles.
Do give this book a read if you love mythology and want to understand why India is the way it is.
December 7, 2017
Quite a decent retelling of a well known myth, despite a handful of editing misses. But nothing to talk about as either a period piece or a fantasy novel. Use of phrases that don't belong to the period like - self-crucification and class struggle is a bit jarring. the author is good at showing the inner turmoil through actions and expressions, and could have avoided most of the inner monologue, which just slows the pace down and drags one out of the moment.
i like the attempt to weave in other myths, but the author missed the chance of turning this into mythopoea. Also, the introduction and foreword seem to have been written without reading the main text, the goals for the retelling set in them are never met. They say how the Vedic women was so much better off than modern women, and the story establishes just the opposite. that when the introduction is by the author himself, wonder what is up with that!
i like the attempt to weave in other myths, but the author missed the chance of turning this into mythopoea. Also, the introduction and foreword seem to have been written without reading the main text, the goals for the retelling set in them are never met. They say how the Vedic women was so much better off than modern women, and the story establishes just the opposite. that when the introduction is by the author himself, wonder what is up with that!
November 4, 2017
The original story of Shakuntla and King Dushyant was very different from the version that Kalidasa changed it to later on. Shakuntla here is strong minded, questions established norms (and how!) and raised her voice against a King. Kalidasa and the later day poets added the curse and the ring to disguise the fact that Dushyant was essentially a player and simply chose to ignore Shakuntla once he went back to his Kingdom. Listen to his internal discourse towards the end. I had expected a slightly different ending but it could not have been otherwise. The story of Maneka and King Kaushik (Vishvamitra) also finds space here. The book ended suddenly for me. I would have liked to know more about the adjustments that characters had to make in the next few years. Still liked it very much.
December 6, 2018
Menaka saw all and her tears just wouldn’t stop. She was proud of her child and wished women on earth had the courage of her daughter. She was glad that her daughter had the courage to say—I am Shakuntala, no less!
Shakuntala.. Daughter of Kaushik aka Vishwamitra and Menaka...abandoned by parents, raised by Sage Kanva...later married to King of Hastinapur, Kaushik..and mother of King Bharata!Great tale indeed!
Shakuntala.. Daughter of Kaushik aka Vishwamitra and Menaka...abandoned by parents, raised by Sage Kanva...later married to King of Hastinapur, Kaushik..and mother of King Bharata!Great tale indeed!
November 11, 2019
Knew Shakuntala as poet Kalidasa play and more moderately depicted in stories. But this book is a fabulous and attractive retelling of Shakuntala in simple words. The book builds good pace and understanding.
Her birth, her struggle, her war within herself and her endurance towards the law.
The real Shakuntala is way beyond the play.
This book is absolute cool breeze.
A must read for mythology enthusiasts.
#goodreads #lovedbooks
Her birth, her struggle, her war within herself and her endurance towards the law.
The real Shakuntala is way beyond the play.
This book is absolute cool breeze.
A must read for mythology enthusiasts.
#goodreads #lovedbooks
August 20, 2022
Such a good book, story was Brilliant but i must say the writing was so catching so good. I Keep on turning pages.
August 16, 2017
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https://bookreviewsbyricha.blogspot.i...
https://bookreviewsbyricha.blogspot.i...
March 26, 2025
4.5 ⭐
This book is so beautifully penned. A real page turner, that makes you feel everything so deeply.
This book is so beautifully penned. A real page turner, that makes you feel everything so deeply.
December 29, 2015
The author, Utkarsh Patel, has astutely observed the different moral yardsticks of our society which still remain unaltered.Because of such double standards, almost all stories revolving around Dushyant have depicted the king as an upright man of high morals who becomes a victim of some strange curse and forgets about his love and marriage. He was hardly ever shown as one pleasure seeking wily king...
But here in this story, author has dared to call a spade a spade....King Dushyant engaged in a one night stand with the a virgin woman on false promises of marriage and that makes him one of those vain men who consider women an object to play with and discard at convenience. His morals and intentions are questionable and the story does not sugar-coat the character of the mighty, used-to-getting-his-way king.This Shakuntala, based on the original characterization by Sage Vyasa, does not wallow in pain of abandonment but takes matter in her hands and questions the society and its different rules for men and women. She is fierce, fights for the rights of her son and asserts her importance as a wife. She is independent woman who does not need the crutches of wealth and a label of queen to survive in the world.
I loved the book through and through not only because it is very well-knit and to the point but also because author has subtly raised certain issues that still need to be addressed and debated over; the difference of reactions meted out to men and women for craving physical gratifications, the unnecessary emphasis given to virginity of women, freedom of women to choose their partners...
The book has a wonderful prose that is apt to be read even in modern context.
Read more at https://shomabhagwat.wordpress.com/20...
But here in this story, author has dared to call a spade a spade....King Dushyant engaged in a one night stand with the a virgin woman on false promises of marriage and that makes him one of those vain men who consider women an object to play with and discard at convenience. His morals and intentions are questionable and the story does not sugar-coat the character of the mighty, used-to-getting-his-way king.This Shakuntala, based on the original characterization by Sage Vyasa, does not wallow in pain of abandonment but takes matter in her hands and questions the society and its different rules for men and women. She is fierce, fights for the rights of her son and asserts her importance as a wife. She is independent woman who does not need the crutches of wealth and a label of queen to survive in the world.
I loved the book through and through not only because it is very well-knit and to the point but also because author has subtly raised certain issues that still need to be addressed and debated over; the difference of reactions meted out to men and women for craving physical gratifications, the unnecessary emphasis given to virginity of women, freedom of women to choose their partners...
The book has a wonderful prose that is apt to be read even in modern context.
Read more at https://shomabhagwat.wordpress.com/20...
November 17, 2015
Shakuntala- The Woman Wronged by Utkarsh Patel, beautifully narrates a story of a long forgotten fiery brand, heroic character named, Shakuntala taken from Vyasa narration of Shakantula, where she is not a victim, but one who stands for what is right! She portrays US, the modern women who understand that we are not dependent on man, but is rather always the other way round! Woman who can be kind, compassionate and loving but mis-treat her and she is nothing less than Kali herself! The book is replete with scenic beauty and exhibits and expresses the mind of woman when wronged! The story also has many other stories within the story, which present a psychological consciousness of a woman and metaphorical representation of all those women who have been wronged mythic-ally or historically and were judged one way or another, including Shakuntala herself in the story. As a woman, she is strong and beautiful inside-out and doesn’t succumb to a situation which might have been challenging and difficult to hold on.
Myth lovers and story tellers will love it for the way the story has been exquisitely narrated with beautiful description of Nature in it. What it means to get away from the din and bustle of a city life. But, most importantly tells a heroic story of woman, who is not meant to suffer alone, rather is a one who stands up for herself and her rights. She and only she, is her own help. A tale of woman, which might help sensible man see beyond beauty, and empowering women of the strength that lies within them, that she is none other than Shakuntala herself!
Myth lovers and story tellers will love it for the way the story has been exquisitely narrated with beautiful description of Nature in it. What it means to get away from the din and bustle of a city life. But, most importantly tells a heroic story of woman, who is not meant to suffer alone, rather is a one who stands up for herself and her rights. She and only she, is her own help. A tale of woman, which might help sensible man see beyond beauty, and empowering women of the strength that lies within them, that she is none other than Shakuntala herself!
March 7, 2016
Shakuntala is a story that brings out the story of a woman. A story told across generations, it encompasses the different aspects of a woman. From being an innocent young child to the inquisitive young woman and finally her falling in love, only to be spurned later, we see different aspects of the woman come up,each in context with her situation.
I met the author a recent literature festival, and i hope to read another one of your works sooner.
I met the author a recent literature festival, and i hope to read another one of your works sooner.
June 2, 2024
A Modern Feminist Retelling of an Epic
Patel's Shakuntala is multifaceted—questioning her fate and challenging traditions, navigating her trials without compromising her trials, and eventually concluding her own story in her way; making her an inspiring figure for modern readers. This book is a good read that honours the original epic written by Kalidasa while making it relevant today.
Patel's Shakuntala is multifaceted—questioning her fate and challenging traditions, navigating her trials without compromising her trials, and eventually concluding her own story in her way; making her an inspiring figure for modern readers. This book is a good read that honours the original epic written by Kalidasa while making it relevant today.
shelved-not-read
October 26, 2015Received the book as part of goodreads giveaway. Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews