Role of Kanva in Abhijnanasakuntalam (CC - I)

Role of Kanva in Abhijnanasakuntalam

Q. Write a note on the character and role of Kanva as you find in Abhijnanasakuntalam.

Answer: Kalidasa's “Abhijnanasakuntalam” is a very impressive and sensitive play, which presents an amazing example of characterization. Kalidas presents very few characters only as a "type", but also presents every character with its specific qualities and personality, which plays an important role in the development of the story. Shakuntalam has three major sages - angry and harsh Durvasa, the follower of the great Kuldharma and Lord Marichi. The personality of these three has different characteristics and roles, but in this essay we will focus on the character and role of the elite.

The character of Kanava Muni is presented as a symbol of 'Kuldharma' in Indian culture. He is an ideal teacher and guru, who makes his disciples study the Vedas. The ashram of the elite is filled with thousands of disciples, which they facilitate living with food, clothes and other requirements. Even though there is a lack of worldly amenities in his life, his generosity and generosity are never reduced.

The character of Kanava Muni is filled with human qualities. He is a mixture of both a saint and a householder. While they have spirituality, they also have weaknesses and humanity as a normal human being. His heart is full of kindness, affection and sympathy, which makes him highly loving towards his disciples and especially Shakuntala.

Kanava Muni, even though it is alienated from the world, he adopted Shakuntala as his daughter and brought her up with great love and care. He not only gave Shakuntala moral education of life, but also advised him to maintain peace and restraint in every situation. He always guides Shakuntala with his blessings, and travels far and wide for his daughter's safety and happiness and peace.

The hospitality of the end and their humanity is very commendable. He offers his home-like respect and comforts to all the people visiting their ashram. When he hears about the marriage of Shakuntala and King Dushyant, he understands his responsibility and arranges for Shakuntala's visit.

Kanava also shows the form of a father in the character of Muni who gets emotional before leaving his daughter. He is saddened by his daughter's departure, but his father form presents the same deep dilemma and a feeling of love, which is in every father's heart. He advises his daughter for good conduct and advises her to live with restraint and peace in life.

This father form of Kanava Muni is eternal and universal. Whether it is Kaal or Yuga, a father's heart is always depressed for his daughter. His saying that "really, a daughter is someone else's wealth" (Eyesoh Naye Paralaga and), expresses this emotional and universal truth.

Kalidasa has portrayed the character of Kanav Muni in human form and made him even more cute. He has presented Kanava Muni as the ideal of 'Grihastha Ashram', who teaches everyone's lesson and discipline as a guru, a father and a person. This character of the end proves that it is very important to have an ideal guru and father for establishing humanity and peace in any society.

Thus, the character of Kanava Muni not only carries forward the stream of the story in Shakuntalam, but also reveals the deep sense of humanity, affection and father's love. His life is a source of inspiration for all of us, which teaches us to have sympathy and compassion towards others while performing our duties.

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Read also:

👉 The Book of Assembly Hall - Dharma, Dicing and Draupadi 

👉 Mahabharata – Discussion in the light of Epic Tradition 

👉 The Illiad, (Book – I and Book II): The Character of Achilles 

👉 Abhijnanasakuntalam – Short Answer Type Questions and Answers (2 Marks) 

👉 Abhijnanasakuntalam – Sakuntala’s departure from the Hermitage of Kanva 

👉 Oedipus Rex by Sophocles – Oedipus as a tragic hero 

👉 The Iliad by Homer – Role of Agamemnon