Devkanya said:
"Father, you always say that the soul knows no distinction. Then why must a daughter be separated from her mother and father? Why is there no such rule for a son? It is we, who have lived within this society, that have created these norms. Then why are the rules always inclined toward men, Father? Is God only male? He is Ardhanarishvara — half male, half female. Then why are the rules different?
Daughter, these customs have existed for ages. Tell me, could King Dushyanta have renounced his kingdom and spent his days in an ashram for the good of his people? Or could he have fulfilled the promise he made to Shakuntala? Is it more honorable for Shakuntala to live forever as a forest-dwelling princess, or to become a queen, a queen mother? You are too young now to understand. But one day, you will. Every human life is bound to a purpose, and destiny draws one toward that purpose. No one else can change that."
After saying this much, the great guru fell silent. Another young girl named Bhadra spoke up,
"Gurudev, did Shakuntala really go to King Dushyanta? How did their reunion come to be? I wish to know."
The great guru began again:
Maharshi Kanva said, "Daughter, after seeing the extraordinary strength and valor of your son, I realized that the time has come for him to become a prince. If a daughter remains in her father's home long after her marriage, it violates dharma and invites slander. So, go with your son to your husband's home. I shall make arrangements for your journey with my disciples."
Then he ordered his disciples, "Quickly make arrangements to escort Shakuntala to her husband's home."
By then, Shakuntala had come to terms with the fact that the king would never return for her. She said, "Father, please arrange my departure. The king may ignore and neglect me, but he will not do the same to his own son. He vowed to crown my son as prince."
Accompanied by the ascetics of the ashram, Shakuntala began her journey with her son toward her husband's palace. After traveling a long distance, they arrived near the kingdom. But the ascetics, forbidden from entering populated areas or accepting worldly hospitality, returned to the forest.
As the grand palace came into view from afar, Shakuntala's heart filled with anxiety. She silently prayed, "If I am truly chaste, let my husband accept me. But if for even a moment, I have given my heart to anyone but my husband or the Supreme Lord, may I be struck by lightning."
Holding her son's hand, she walked slowly toward the royal court. A guard escorted her to the king's audience hall. There, she and her son saw the king seated on a golden throne adorned with gems, surrounded by his ministers and allies.
The king asked, "Who are you, Lady? What brings you here?"
Shakuntala bowed and replied, "O King, this is your son, born from my womb. Recall the promise you made in Kanva's ashram. You vowed to make our son the crown prince."
Although the king remembered, he denied it and said, "Who are you, deceitful ascetic woman? I have never seen or known you. There has been no union between us — not in dharma, not in wealth, not in desire. Your words have no value."
Shamed and heartbroken, Shakuntala collapsed. Standing like a statue, her eyes turned red, her lips trembled. Burning with indignation, she wished to curse the king with harsh words. But restraining herself, she said softly:
"Great King, I know you remember everything, yet you treat me like a stranger. Why do you deny me? You are a mighty ruler. The world follows your example. If you act this way, your ancestors will be disgraced in heaven, and your descendants will be mocked. Remember your promise. Do not dishonor yourself and your lineage by clinging to falsehood."
"According to the laws of the world, the gift of a daughter is the greatest of all. I am that daughter who has come to you in supplication, and you deny me, intoxicated by power and pride. If you dishonor me today and refuse to accept me, then no woman in any birth will ever be able to trust a man again. For the humiliation I have suffered here, may your head split into a hundred pieces. I will not stay here, but you must keep your son. You cannot reject him."
The king responded, "This boy may be my son, but I do not remember you as his mother. Women are deceitful. Your mother, Menaka, was a faithless, heartless celestial. Your father, the sage Vishwamitra, was ambitious and lustful. Naturally, you too speak boldly like your parents. King, you are a lover of lies; there can be no union between us."
"But I tell you — this son of yours will one day rule over the entire earth, surrounded by oceans, as a noble and just king. Though I dwell on earth, I can, by my penance, freely travel to the celestial realms. My words can never be false. The wicked always reject the virtuous — that is their nature."
Having cursed King Dushyanta, Shakuntala left the palace with her son. She went to the ashram of Sage Kashyapa, where the sage received her with honor and began educating the boy in various disciplines.
Meanwhile, learning of her daughter's insult, Menaka appealed to Indra for justice. After consulting his divine court, Indra assigned a special emissary to resolve the matter — for that child was the destined protector of the Puru dynasty.
King Dushyanta began to see dreams of Shakuntala and their time together by the Malini River. Regret filled his heart. He knew what he had done was wrong. But how could he accept her as queen based only on her word? Lost in such thoughts, his days passed in torment.
At that time, a divine sage — son of Prajapati — arrived at the court. The king and his ministers rose to greet him. Offering him worship and royal hospitality, they invited him to a great feast.
Seated on a throne, the sage declared to the gathered court:
"O King, your wife Shakuntala speaks the truth. You must not abandon her. Accept your son and fulfill your duty. Let his name be Bharata."