Shloka 21
सैवमुक्ता वरारोहा व्रीडितेव तपस्विनी । निःसंज्ञेव च दुःखेन तस्थौ स्थूणेव निश्चला,सुन्दर अंगवाली तपस्विनी शकुन्तला दुष्यन्तके ऐसा कहनेपर लज्जित हो दुःखसे बेहोश-सी हो गयी और खंभेकी तरह निश्चलभावसे खड़ी रह गयी
saivamuktā varārohā vrīḍiteva tapasvinī | niḥsaṃjñeva ca duḥkhena tasthau sthūṇeva niścalā ||
এনেদৰে কোৱা হ’লে, বৰাৰোহা তপস্বিনী শকুন্তলা লাজত যেন আচ্ছন্ন হ’ল; আৰু দুখত যেন অচেতন হৈ, স্তম্ভৰ দৰে নিশ্চল হৈ থিয় হৈ ৰ’ল।
दुष्यन्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech and social power can wound: a king’s words, shaped by public duty or denial, can reduce a truthful, vulnerable person to silent suffering. It invites reflection on dharma in speech—truthfulness, compassion, and responsibility—especially when one holds authority.
After Duṣyanta speaks to her (in a manner that causes her distress), Śakuntalā becomes overwhelmed—ashamed and grief-stricken—standing still like a pillar, as if faint or stunned. The narration emphasizes her emotional collapse and the gravity of the moment.