“Perish the sinful thought,
Why are you out to sully your family’s honour;
And to make me fall: you are like a river
That crumbles its banks to muddy its crystal stream,
and uproots the tree growing by its edge.”
Answer with reference to the context in about 100 words each
“Abhijnana Shakuntala” is a renowned Sanskrit play written by the ancient Indian poet and playwright Kalidasa. It is considered one of the most exquisite and influential works of classical Indian literature. The play is often hailed as a masterpiece of Indian drama and is celebrated for its lyrical beauty, intricate plot, and exploration of themes such as love, destiny, and the complexities of human emotions.
These lines are excerpted from the classical Sanskrit play “Abhijnana Shakuntala,” written by the renowned ancient Indian playwright Kalidasa. This scene occurs in Act II of the play, where the heroine, Shakuntala, is reprimanding and resisting the advances of King Dushyanta. In this context, Shakuntala is addressing the king’s advances and attempts to seduce her.
In the play, Shakuntala is a virtuous and innocent young woman living in a hermitage in the forest. She is deeply devoted to her family and her own honor. When King Dushyanta, who has fallen in love with her, approaches her with amorous intentions, she is initially shocked and perturbed by his advances. These lines reflect her inner turmoil and her determination to protect her family’s honor.
The metaphor of a river in these lines serves to illustrate Shakuntala’s apprehension. She compares Dushyanta’s advances to a river that crumbles its banks, muddying its once crystal-clear waters. This metaphor highlights Shakuntala’s fear that her association with the king might tarnish her own purity and her family’s reputation. The reference to uprooting a tree growing by the river’s edge suggests that she sees herself as that vulnerable tree, threatened by the king’s advances and the potential consequences for her and her family. Overall, these lines capture Shakuntala’s inner struggle as she grapples with the conflicting emotions of love and duty, and her unwavering commitment to maintaining her family’s honor and her own integrity.