The curse on Shakuntala is precisely lifted when King Dusyanta sees a memento, specifically his signet ring, that was given to Shakuntala, thereby restoring his lost memories of her and their marriage.
Understanding Durvasas's Curse and Its Resolution
Shakuntala was unfortunately subjected to a powerful curse by the sage Durvasas. This curse had a profound and immediate effect on King Dusyanta, causing him to completely forget Shakuntala and the fact that they were married. This forgetfulness was absolute, making him unable to recognize her or recall their shared history, leading to significant emotional distress and separation.
The curse, however, came with a crucial condition for its reversal, offering a path for Dusyanta's memory to return.
Key Aspects of the Curse and Its Lifting
- Instigator: The powerful and easily angered sage Durvasas.
- Effect on Dusyanta: The curse caused King Dusyanta to lose all memory of Shakuntala and their marriage. He effectively forgot their entire relationship.
- Condition for Lifting: The curse was not permanent and had a specific trigger for its removal. It would be lifted if the King saw a memento, an object associated with Shakuntala that could jog his memory.
- Crucial Memento: The primary object destined to break the curse was Dusyanta's own signet ring, which he had given to Shakuntala.
Upon seeing this specific memento, the signet ring, Dusyanta's memory would be fully restored, allowing him to remember Shakuntala, their bond, and their marriage, thus effectively lifting the powerful curse and resolving the central conflict of their separation.
