Legend of Shakuntala - Romancing the Blue Sapphire

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The ancient Sanskrit scriptures known as the Puranas contain a well-known

story regarding the astral powers of blue sapphires. One day, the great King

Dushyanta was hunting in the forest when he met and instantly fell in love

with a young girl named Shakuntala, who was the daughter of a powerful

sage living as an ascetic yogi in the wilderness. Wishing to marry her, the

King gave her a beautiful blue sapphire ring to mark their engagement, and

he told her to come to his palace whenever she felt ready to marry.

 

One morning a few month later, as she stood by the river bank drawing water

for her father, the sapphire ring slipped off her finger, fell into the river,

and

was promptly swallowed by a fish. When later she went to visit the King at his

palace to consent to his proposal, the King did not recognize her, nor could

he recall his promise of marriage. Deeply distressed, she returned sadly to

her father's hut in the forest.

 

A few months later, the fish which swallowed the ring was caught by a local

fisherman, who found the precious sapphire inside its stomach. Thinking that

this might be important, the fisherman took the ring to the King. The moment

the King set eyes on the stone he immediately remembered Shakuntala and

his proposal of marriage to her. He sent for her, and soon they were married

and lived a long happy life together, thanks to the precious gem which

consummated their destiny.