Menaka seduces Vishvamitra

Vishvamitra, a prominent Hindu sage, frightened the devas and even tried to create another heaven – Indra, frightened by his powers, sent Menaka from heaven to earth to lure him and break his meditation. Menaka successfully incited Vishvamitra’s lust and passion when he saw her beauty. She succeeded in breaking the meditation of Vishvamitra. However, she fell in love with him and a baby was born to them, who later grew in Sage Kanva’s ashram and came to be called Shakuntala. Later, Shakuntala falls in love with King Dushyanta and gives birth to a child called Bharata, who in Hindu tradition, lent his name to the country.