File:Dushyanta and Shakuntala romancing in woods.jpg

English: Dushyanta was born into the Puru family tree to a king named Ilila. Like his ancestors, he was a just and popular king. One day, he went hunting with his soldiers and friends into a dense forest. While pursuing his game, he got separated from his army and ventured deep into the jungle. He noticed that this part of the forest was situated by the bank of the river Mālini. Looking up the bank, his eyes fell on a beautiful āshram. Dushyanta recognised it as the hermitage of Rishi Kanva, But Rishi Kanva was not to be seen. He ventured further inside where there weren’t any other people. ‘Is there anyone here,’ he asked aloud. A lady of divine beauty emerged from one of the huts. She introduced herself as Shakuntalā, daughter of Rishi Kanva. After Shakuntalā had narrated her story, Dushyanta was convinced she was worthy of becoming his wife. He proposed to her for marriage. ‘I pledge to you my entire kingdom. Marry me and become my wife. Let us get married by way of Gāndharva Vivāh right now. Shakuntalā, too, was smitten by the graceful and handsome Dushyanta. After some thought, she responded, ‘If it is indeed sanctioned by scriptures that I can make my own choice and offer myself, then I am ready to marry you by this route of Gāndharva Vivāh. They accepted each other and consummated the marriage.