1. Dushyanta Meets Shakuntala: King Dushyanta, while hunting in the forest, comes across Shakuntala, the beautiful daughter of the sage Kanva. They fall in love and get married according to the Gandharva ceremony, a mutual agreement without the presence of a priest or family.
2. Dushyanta Leaves Shakuntala: Dushyanta returns to his kingdom, promising Shakuntala that he will send for her soon. However, he forgets about her due to a curse by the sage Durvasa.
3. Shakuntala Visits King Dushyanta: When Shakuntala learns that Dushyanta has forgotten her, she decides to visit him in his kingdom. While on the way, she loses the ring Dushyanta gave her as a token of their love when crossing a river.
4. Shakuntala is Rejected: When Shakuntala arrives at the palace, Dushyanta refuses to recognize her as his wife. He claims that she is an imposter and throws her out.
5. Dushyanta Finds the Ring: As Shakuntala is leaving, a fisherman finds the ring in a fish's stomach and brings it to Dushyanta. Upon seeing the ring, Dushyanta realizes his mistake and regrets his actions.
6. Dushyanta Meets Shakuntala Again: Dushyanta sets out to find Shakuntala and eventually reunites with her in the ashram of sage Kanva. They are overjoyed to be together again.
7. Happy Ending: Shakuntala gives birth to a son named Bharata, who grows up to become a great emperor. Dushyanta and Shakuntala live happily ever after with their son.