Durvasas is a hot-tempered sage who visits the hermitage, then places a

curse on Shakuntala and King Dusyanta because Shakuntala, distracted by

her new husband’s absence and her pregnancy, fails to welcome him with
appropriate formality. Durvasas’s curse causes Dusyanta to forget Shakuntala
and the fact that they’re married, with the exception that if the King sees a
memento, such as his signet ring, the curse will be lifted.