Bharata
Early Life
Bharata was a legendary emperor and the founder of the Bharata Dynasty, according to the ancient Indian texts. He was the son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala and thus a descendant of the Lunar Dynasty of the Kshatriya Varna. Bharata had a significant influence on the naming of the Republic of India.
Birth and Childhood
Bharata's birth and childhood are described in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. According to the epic, Bharata was the son of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala, a hermit's daughter. The story of their marriage and subsequent estrangement is narrated in the 'Adi Parva' of the Mahabharata.
Reign and Legacy
Bharata is considered one of the greatest kings of the ancient Indian subcontinent. He is credited with uniting many small kingdoms under his rule through a combination of military conquests and strategic alliances. His reign was marked by prosperity, justice, and the observance of dharma (righteousness).
Bharata's legacy is significant in the context of Indian history and culture. His name has been immortalized in the term 'Bharatavarsha', the ancient name for the Indian subcontinent. The term 'Bharat' is still used as an official name for the Republic of India.
Bharata in Literature
The story of Bharata and his parents, Dushyanta and Shakuntala, has been a popular theme in Indian literature. The most famous adaptation is perhaps Kalidasa's play, 'Abhijnanasakuntalam' ('The Recognition of Shakuntala'), which narrates the love story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala and the eventual birth of their son, Bharata.