Adherence to the Dharma for Environmental Harmony in Kālidāsa’s Abhijnānasākuntalam

Abstract

This research explores the concept of harmony in universe between creations of nature embedded in Hinduism. It investigates the righteous deeds from human domain to the entire natural realm. It takes references about righteousness from Hindu holy scriptures like Vedas, Mahābhārata, Bhāgvadgeetā, Upanishadās, Ramayana and a few other Hindu texts. It shows the connection between life, actions and deeds of Kalidasā’s characters of play with the doctrines in such texts, and finally it figures out the meaning of dharma in human life. Kalidasā’s play Abhijnānasākuntalam expresses Hindu ideals for jovial coexistence between human and nature. The setting, characters, both human and nonhuman, and the entire plot of the play convey the message of harmony and assume the world an extended family. The heroine, Ṡakuntalā, adheres to the concept of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (extended family) in the play. She moves within the frame of dharma with this concept to maintain affinity with natural phenomena. She expresses compassion to all the natural entities, and, therefore, her every deed moves on the ground of dharma. Similarly, the male protagonist, Dushyanta also learns to develop compassion towards animals after being in contact with Ṡakuntalā.