The Recognition of Śakuntalā 2: dvitīyo 'ṅkaḥ

2.1b1

(tataha praviśati viṣaṇṇo vidūṣakaḥ)

(Enter the clown.)

2.1b2

vidūṣaka (niḥśvasya) bho disṭam / etasya mṛgayāśīlasya rājño vayasyabhāvena nirviṇṇo 'smi / ayaṃ mṛgo 'yaṃ vahāro 'yaṃ śārdūla iti madhyāhne 'pi grīṣmaviralapādapachāyāsu vanarājiṣv āhiṇḍayate aṭatīto 'ṭavī / patrasaṃkarakaṣāyāṇi kaduṣṇāni girinadījalāni pīyante / aniyatavelaṃ śūlyamāṃsabhūyiṣṭha āhāro bhujyate / turagānudhāvanakaṇḍitasaṃdhe rātrāv api nikāmaṃ śayitavyaṃ nāsti / tato mahaty eva pratyūṣe dāsyāḥ putraiḥ śakunilubdhakair vanagrahaṇakolāhalena pratibodhito 'smi / iyatedānīm api pīḍā na kiṣkrāmati / tato gaṇḍasyopari piṇḍakaḥ saṃvṛttaḥ / hyaḥ kilāsmāsv avahīneṣu tatra bhavato mṛgānusāreṇāśramapadaṃ praviṣṭasya tāpasakanyakā śakuntalā mamādhanyatayā darśitā / sāṃprataṃ nagaragamanāya manaḥ katham api na karoti / adya api tasya tām eva cintayato 'kṣṇoḥ prabhātam āsīt / kā gatiḥ / yāvat taṃ kṛtācāraparikramaṃ paśyāmi / (iti parikramyāvalokya ca)

Clown (sighing). Damn! Damn! Damn! I'm tired of being friends with this sporting king. "There's a deer!" he shouts, "There's a boar!" And off he chases on a summer noon through woods where shade is few and far between. We drink hot, stinking water from the mountain streams, flavoured with leaves--nasty! At odd times we get a little tepid meat to eat. And the horses and the elephants make such a noise that I can't even be comfortable at night. Then the hunters and the bird-chasers--damn ’em--wake me up bright and early. They do make an ear-splitting rumpus when they start for the woods. But even that isn't the whole misery. There's a new pimple growing on the old boil. He left us behind and went hunting a deer. And there in a hermitage they say he found--oh, dear! oh, dear! he found a hermit-girl named Shakuntala. Since then he hasn't a thought of going back to town. I lay awake all night, thinking about it. What can I do? Well, I'll see my friend when he is dressed and beautified. (He walks and looks about.) Hello! Here he comes, with his bow in his hand, and his girl in his heart. He is wearing a wreath of wild flowers! I'll pretend to be all knocked up. Perhaps I can get a rest that way. (He stands, leaning on his stag. Enter the king, as described.)

2.1b3

eṣa bāṇāsanahastābhir yavanībhir vanapuṣpamālādhāriṇībhiḥ parivṛta ita evāgachati priyavayasyaḥ / bhavatu / aṅgabhaṅgavikala iva bhūtvā sthāsyāmi / yady evam api nāma viśramaṃ labheya / (iti daṇḍakāṣṭham avalambya sthitaḥ)
(tataḥ praviśati yathānirdiṣṭaparivāro rājā)

2.1b1_2

rājā

King (to himself).

2.1

kāmaṃ priyā na sulabhā manas tu tadbhāvadarśanāśvāsi /
akṛtārthe 'pi manasije ratim ubhayaprārthanā kurute //

Although my darling is not lightly won,
She seemed to love me, and my hopes are bright;
Though love be balked ere joy be well begun,
A common longing is itself delight.

2.2b1

(smitaṃ kṛtvā) evam ātmābhiprāyasaṃbhāviteṣṭajanacittavṛttiḥ prārthitā viḍambyate /

[paragraph continues] (Smiling.) Thus does a lover deceive himself. He judges his love's feelings by his own desires.

2.2

snigdhaṃ vīkṣitam anyato 'pi nayane yat prerayantyā tayā
yātaṃ yac ca nitambayor gurutayā mandaṃ vilāsād iva /
mā gā ity uparuddhayā yad api sā sāsūyam uktā sakhī
sarvaṃ tat kila matparāyaṇam aho kāmī svatāṃ paśyati //
vidūṣaka (tathāsthita eva) bho vayasya na me hastapādaṃ prasarati tad vān mātreṇa jāpayiṣyāmi / jayatu jayatu bhavān /
rājā kuto 'yaṃ gātropaghātaḥ /
vidu kutaḥ kila svayam akṣyākulīkṛtyāśrukāraṇaṃ pṛcchasi /
rā na khalv avagacchāmi /

Her glance was loving--but 'twas not for me;
Her step was slow--'twas grace, not coquetry;
Her speech was short--to her detaining friend.
In things like these love reads a selfish end!

Clown (standing as before). Well, king, I can't move my hand. I can only greet you with my voice.

King (looking and smiling). What makes you lame?

Clown. Good! You hit a man in the eye, and then ask him why the tears come.

King. I do not understand you. Speak plainly.

2.2a5

vidu bho vayasya yad vetasaḥ kubjalīlāṃ viḍambayati tat kim ātmanaḥ prabhāveṇa nanu nadīvegasya /

Clown. When a reed bends over like a hunchback, do you blame the reed or the river-current?

2.2a6

rā nadīvegas tatra kāraṇam /

King. The river-current, of course.

2.2_2

vidu mama api bhavān /

Clown. And you are to blame for my troubles.

2.2_3

rā katham iva /

King. How so?

2.2_4

vidu evaṃ rājakāryāṇy ujjhitvaitādṛśa ākulapradeśe vanacaravṛttinā tvayā bhavitavyam / yat satyaṃ pratyahaṃ śvāpadasamutsāraṇaiḥ saṃkṣobhitasaṃdhibandhānāṃ mama gātrāṇām anīśo 'smi saṃvṛttaḥ / tat prasīda me / ekāham api tāvad viśramyatām /

Clown. It's a fine thing for you to neglect your royal duties and such a sure job--to live in the woods! What's the good of talking? Here I am, a Brahman, and my joints are all shaken up by this eternal running after wild animals, so that I can't move. Please be good to me. Let us have a rest for just one day.

2.3b1

rājā (svagatam) ayaṃ caivam āha / mama api kāśyapasutām anusmṛtya mṛgayāviklavaṃ cetaḥ / kutaḥ

King (to himself). He says this. And I too, when I remember Kanva's daughter, have little desire for the chase. For

2.3

na namayitum adhijyam asmi śakto dhanur idam āhitasāyakaṃ mṛgeṣu /
sahavasatim upetya yaiḥ priyāyāḥ kṛta iva mugdhavilokopadeśaḥ //
vidu (rājño mukhaṃ vilokya) atrabhavān kim api hṛdaye kṛtvā mantrayate / araṇye mayā ruditam āsīt /
rā (sasmitam) kim anyat / anatikramaṇīyaṃ me suhṛdvākyam iti sthito 'smi /
vidu ciraṃ jīva / (iti gantum ichati)
rā vayasya tiṣṭha / sāvaśeṣaṃ me vacaḥ /

The bow is strung, its arrow near;
And yet I cannot bend
That bow against the fawns who share
Soft glances with their friend.

Clown (observing the king). He means more than he says. I might as well weep in the woods.

King (smiling). What more could I mean? I have been thinking that I ought to take my friend's advice.

Clown (cheerfully). Long life to you, then. (He unstiffens.)

King. Wait. Hear me out.

2.3a5

vidu ājñāpayatu bhavān /

Clown. Well, sir?

2.3a6

rā viśrāntena bhavatā mama apy ekasminn anāyāse karmaṇi sahāyena bhavitavyam /

King. When you are rested, you must be my companion in another task--an easy one.

2.3_2

vidu kiṃ modakakhādikāyām / tena hy ayaṃ sugṛhītaḥ kṣaṇaḥ /

Clown. Crushing a few sweetmeats?

2.3_3

rā yatra vakṣyāmi / kaḥ ko 'tra bhoḥ /

King. I will tell you presently.

Clown. Pray command my leisure.

King. Who stands without? (Enter the door-keeper.)

2.3_4

(praviśya)

2.3a0

dauvārika (praṇamya) ājñāpayatu bharttā /

Door-keeper. I await your Majesty's commands.

2.3a1

rā raivataka senāpatis tāvad āhūyatām /

King. Raivataka, summon the general.

2.3a2

dau tathā / (iti niṣkramya senāpatinā saha punaḥ praviśya) eṣa ājñāvacanotkaṇṭho bhartetodattadṛṣṭir eva tiṣṭhati / upasarpatv āryaḥ /

Door-keeper. Yes, your Majesty. (He goes out, then returns with the general.) Follow me, sir. There is his Majesty, listening to our conversation. Draw near, sir.

2.4b1

seenā (rājānam avalokya) dṛṣṭadoṣā api svāmini mṛgayā kevalaṃ guṇa eva saṃvṛttā / tathā hi devaḥ

General (observing the king, to himself). Hunting is declared to be a sin, yet it brings nothing but good to the king. See!

2.4

anavaratadhanur jyāsphālanakrūrapūrva ravikiraṇasahiṣṇu svedaleśair abhinam /
apacitam api gātraṃ vyāyatatvād alakṣyaṃ giricara iva nāgaḥ prāṇasāraṃ bibharti //
(upetya) jayatu jayatu svāmī / gṛhītaśvāpadam araṇyam / kim anyatrāvasthīyate /
rājā mandotsāhaḥ kṛto 'smi mṛgayāpavādinā mādhavyena /
senāpati (janāntikam) sakhe sthirapratibandho bhava / ahaṃ tāvat svāminaś cittavṛttim anuvartiṣye / (prakāśam) pralapatv eṣa vaidheyaḥ / nanu prabhur eva nidarśanam /

He does not heed the cruel sting
Of his recoiling, twanging string;
The mid-day sun, the dripping sweat
Affect him not, nor make him fret;
His form, though sinewy and spare,
Is most symmetrically fair;
No mountain-elephant could be
More filled with vital strength than he.

[paragraph continues] (He approaches.) Victory to your Majesty! The forest is full of deer-tracks, and beasts of prey cannot be far off. What better occupation could we have?

King. Bhadrasena, my enthusiasm is broken. Madhavya has been preaching against hunting.

General (aside to the clown). Stick to it, friend Madhavya. I will humour the king a moment. (Aloud.) Your Majesty, he is a chattering idiot. Your Majesty may judge by his own case whether hunting is an evil. Consider:

2.5

medaśchedakṛśodaraṃ laghu bhavaty utthānayogyaṃ vapuḥ
sattvānām api lakṣyate vikṛtimac cittaṃ bhayakrodhayoḥ /
utkarṣaḥ sa ca dhanvināṃ yad iṣavaḥ sidhyanti lakṣye cale
mithyā eva vyasanaṃ vadanti mṛgayām īdṛg vinodaḥ kutaḥ //
vidu apehi re utsāhahetuka / atrabhavān prakṛtim āpannaḥ / tvaṃ tāvad aṭavīto 'ṭavīm āhiṇḍamāno naranāsikālolupasya jīrṇaṛkṣasya kasya api mukhe patiṣyasi /

The hunter's form grows sinewy, strong, and light;
He learns, from beasts of prey, how wrath and fright
Affect the mind; his skill he loves to measure
With moving targets. ’Tis life's chiefest pleasure.

Clown (angrily). Get out! Get out with your strenuous life! The king has come to his senses. But you, you son of a slave-wench, can go chasing from forest to forest, till you fall into the jaws of some old bear that is looking for a deer or a jackal.

2.6b1

rā bhadra senāpate āśramasaṃnikṛṣṭe sthitāḥ smaḥ / atas te vaco nābhinandāmi / adya tāvat /

King. Bhadrasena, I cannot take your advice, because I am in the vicinity of a hermitage. So for to-day The hornèd buffalo may shake The turbid water of the lake; Shade-seeking deer may chew the cud, Boars trample swamp-grass in the mud; The bow I bend in hunting, may Enjoy a listless holiday.

2.6

gāhantāṃ mahiṣā nipānasalilaṃ śṛṅgair muhus tāḍitam
chāyābaddhakadambakaṃ mṛgakulaṃ romantham abhyasyatu /
viśrabdhaṃ kriyatāṃ vahāratatibhir mustākṣatiḥ palvale
viśrāmaṃ labhatām idaṃ ca śithitalajyābandham asmaddhanuḥ //
senāpati yat prabhaviṣṇave rocate /

General. Yes, your Majesty.

2.7b1

rā tena hi nivartaya pūrvagatān vanagrāhiṇaḥ / yathā na me sainikās tapovanam uparundhanti tathā niṣeddhavyāḥ / paśya /

King. Send back the archers who have gone ahead. And forbid the soldiers to vex the hermitage, or even to approach it. Remember:

2.7

śamapradhāneṣu tapodhaneṣu gūḍhaṃ hi dātātmakam asti tejaḥ /
sparśānukūleva sūryakāntās tadanyatejo 'bhibhavād vamanti //
senā yad ājñāpayati svāmī /
vidu vidhvaṃsatāṃ te utsāhavṛttāntaḥ /
(niṣkrāntaḥ senāpatiḥ)
rājā (parijanaṃ vilokya) apanayantu bhavatyo mṛgayāveśam / raivataka tvam api svaṃ niyogam aśūnyaṃ kuru /

There lurks a hidden fire in each
Religious hermit-bower;
Cool sun-stones kindle if assailed
By any foreign power.

General. Yes, your Majesty.

Clown. Now will you get out with your strenuous life? (Exit general.)

King (to his attendants). Lay aside your hunting dress. And you, Raivataka, return to your post of duty.

2.7a5

parijana yad deva ājñāpayati / (iti niṣkrāntaḥ)

Raivataka. Yes, your Majesty. (Exit.)

2.7a6

vidu kṛtaṃ bhavatā nirmakṣikam / sāṃpratam etasmin pādapachāyāviracitavitānasanāthe śilātale niṣīdatu bhavān yāvad aham api sukhāsīno bhavāmi /

Clown. You have got rid of the vermin. Now be seated on this flat stone, over which the trees spread their canopy of shade. I can't sit down till you do.

2.7_2

rājā gacchāgrataḥ /

King. Lead the way.

2.7_3

vidu etu bhavān /

Clown. Follow me. (They walk about and sit down.)

2.7_4

(ity ubhau parikramyopaviṣṭau )

2.7a0

rā mādhavya anavāptacakṣuḥ phalo 'si / yena tvayā darśanīyaṃ na dṛṣṭam /

King. Friend Madhavya, you do not know what vision is. You have not seen the fairest of all objects.

2.7a1

vidu nanu bhavān agrato me vartate /

Clown. I see you, right in front of me.

2.7a2

rā sarvaḥ kāntam ātmīyaṃ paśyati / ahaṃ tu tām āśramalalāmabhūtāṃ śakuntalām adhikṛtya bravīmi /

King. Yes, every one thinks himself beautiful. But I was speaking of Shakuntala, the ornament of the hermitage.

2.7a3

vidu (svagatam) bhavatu / asyāvasaraṃ na dāsye /

Clown (to himself). I mustn't add fuel to the flame. (Aloud.) But you can't have her because she is a hermit-girl. What is the use of seeing her?

2.7a4

(prakāśam) bho vayasya te tāpasakanyakābhyarthanīyā dṛśyate /

2.8b1

rā sakhe na parihārye vastuni pauravāṇāṃ manaḥ pravartate /

King. Fool!

[paragraph continues] Besides, Dushyanta's thoughts dwell on no forbidden object.

2.8

surayuvatisaṃbhavaṃ kila muner apatyaṃ tad ujjhitādhigatam /
arkasyopari śithilaṃ cyutam iva navamālikākusumam //
vidu )vihasya) yathā kasya api piṇḍakharjūrair udvejitasya tiṇḍyām (tintiṇyām) abhilāṣo bhavet tathā strīratnaparibhogiṇaḥ bhavata iyam abhyarthanā /
rā na tāvad enāṃ paśyāmi yenaivam avādīḥ /
vidu tat khalu ramaṇīyaṃ yad bhavato 'pi vismayam utpādayati /

Sprung from a nymph of heaven
Wanton and gay,
Who spurned the blessing given,
Going her way; By the stern hermit taken
In her most need:
So fell the blossom shaken,
Flower on a weed.

2.9b1

rā vayasya kiṃ bahunā /

King. Oh, my friend, she needs not many words.

2.9

citre niveśye parikalpitasattvayogā
rūpoccayena manasā vidhinā kṛtā nu /
strīratnasṛṣṭir aparā pratibhāti sā me
dhātur vibhutvam anucintya vapuś ca tasyāḥ //
vidu yady evaṃ pratyādeśa idānīṃ rūpavatīnām /

She is God's vision, of pure thought
Composed in His creative mind;
His reveries of beauty wrought
The peerless pearl of womankind.
So plays my fancy when I see
How great is God, how lovely she.

Clown. How the women must hate her!

2.10b1

rā idaṃ ca me manasi vartate /

King. This too is in my thought.

2.10

anāghrātaṃ puṣpaṃ kisalayam alūnaṃ kararuhair anāviddhaṃ ratnaṃ madhu navam anāsvāditarasam /
akhaṇḍaṃ puṣyānāṃ phalam iva ca tadrūpam anaghaṃ na jāne bhoktāraṃ kam iha samupasthāsyati vidhiḥ //
vidu tena hi laghu paritrāyatām enāṃ bhavān / mā kasya api tapasvina iṅgudītairacikkaṇaśīrṣasya haste patiṣyati /
rā paravatī khalu tatrabhavatī / na ca saṃnihito 'tra gurujanaḥ /
vidu atha bhavantam antareṇa kīdṛśas tasyā dṛṣṭirāgaḥ /

She seems a flower whose fragrance none has tasted,
A gem uncut by workman's tool,
A branch no desecrating hands have wasted,
Fresh honey, beautifully cool. No man on earth deserves to taste her beauty,
Her blameless loveliness and worth,
Unless he has fulfilled man's perfect duty--
And is there such a one on earth?

Clown. Marry her quick, then, before the poor girl falls into the hands of some oily-headed hermit.

King. She is dependent on her father, and he is not here.

Clown. But how does she feel toward you?

2.11b1

rājā nisargād evāpragalbhas tapasvikanyājanaḥ / tathāpi tu

King. My friend, hermit-girls are by their very nature timid. And yet

2.11

abhimukhe mayi saṃhṛtam īkṣitaṃ hasitam anyanimitakṛtodayam /
vinayavāritavṛttir atas tayā na vivṛto madano na ca saṃvṛtaḥ //
vidu na khalu dṛṣṭamātrasya tavāṅkaṃ samārohati /

When I was near, she could not look at me;
She smiled--but not to me--and half denied it;
She would not show her love for modesty,
Yet did not try so very hard to hide it.

Clown. Did you want her to climb into your lap the first time she saw you?

2.12b1

rājā mithaḥ prasthāne punaḥ śālīnatayā api kāmam āviṣkṛto bhāvas tatrabhavatyā / tathā hi /

King. But when she went away with her friends, she almost showed that she loved me.

2.12

darbhāṅkureṇa caraṇaḥ kṣata ity akhāṇḍe tanvī sthitā katicid eva padāni gatvā /
āsīd vivṛttavadanā ca vimocayantī śākhāsu valkalam asaktam api drumāṇām //
vidu tena hi gṛhītapātheyo bhava / kṛtaṃ tvayopavanaṃ tapovanam iti paśyāmi /
rā sakhe tapasvibhiḥ kaiścit parijñāto 'smi / cintaya tāvat kenāpadeśena punar āśramapadaṃ gacchāmaḥ /
vidu ko 'paro 'padeśo yuṣmākaṃ rājñām / nīvāraṣaṣṭhabhāgam asmākam upaharantv iti /

When she had hardly left my side,
"I cannot walk," the maiden cried,
And turned her face, and feigned to free
The dress not caught upon the tree.

Clown. She has given you some memories to chew on. I suppose that is why you are so in love with the pious grove.

King. My friend, think of some pretext under which we may return to the hermitage.

Clown. What pretext do you need? Aren't you the king?

King. What of that?

Clown. Collect the taxes on the hermits' rice.

2.13b1

rā mūrkha anyam eva bhāgadheyam ete tapasvino nirvapanti yo ratnarāśīn api vihāyābhinandyate / paśya /

King. Fool! It is a very different tax which these hermits pay--one that outweighs heaps of gems.

2.13

yad uttiṣṭhati varṇebhyo nṛpāṇāṃ kṣayi tat phalam /
tapaḥṣaḍbhāgam akṣayyaṃ dadaty āraṇyakā hi naḥ //
(nepathye)
hanta siddhārthau svaḥ /
rā (karṇaṃ dattvā) aye dhīrapraśāntasvarais tapasvibhir bhavitavyam /
(praviśya)

The wealth we take from common men,
Wastes while we cherish;
These share with us such holiness
As ne’er can perish.

Voices behind the scenes. Ah, we have found him.

King (listening). The voices are grave and tranquil. These must be hermits. (Enter the door-keeper.)

2.13a5

jayatu jayatu bhartā / etau dvau ṛṣikumārau pratīhārabhūmim upasthitau /

Door-keeper. Victory, O King. There are two hermit-youths at the gate.

2.13a6

rājā tena hy avilambitaṃ praveśaya tau /

King. Bid them enter at once.

2.13_2

dauvārika eṣa praveśayāmi / (iti niṣkramya rṣikumārābhyāṃ saha praviśya)

Door-keeper. Yes, your Majesty. (He goes out, then returns with the youths.) Follow me.

2.13_3

(ubhau rājānaṃ vilokayataḥ)

First youth (looking at the king). A majestic presence, yet it inspires confidence. Nor is this wonderful in a king who is half a saint. For to him
The splendid palace serves as hermitage;
His royal government, courageous, sage,
Adds daily to his merit; it is given
To him to win applause from choirs of heaven
Whose anthems to his glory rise and swell,
Proclaiming him a king, and saint as well.

2.14b1

prathamaḥ aho dīptimato 'pi viśvasanīyatayāsya vapuṣaḥ / athavā upapannam etad asminn ṛṣibhyo nātibhinne rājani / kutaḥ

2.14

adhyākrāntā vasatir amunā apy āśrame sarvabhogye
rakṣāyogād ayam api tapaḥ pratyahaṃ saṃcinoti /
asyāpi dyāṃ spṛśati vaśinaś cāraṇadvandvagītaḥ
puṇyaḥśabdo munir iti muhuhḥ kevalaṃ rājapūrvaḥ //
dvitīyaḥ gautama ayaṃ sa balabhit sakho duṣyantaḥ /
prathama atha kim /

Second youth. My friend, is this Dushyanta, friend of Indra?

First youth. It is.

2.15b1

dvitīyahḥ tena hi

Second youth.

2.15

naitac citraṃ yad ayam udadhiśyāmasīmāṃ dharitrīm ekaḥ kṛtsnāṃ nagaraparighaprāṃśubāhur bhunakti /
āśaṃsante samitiṣu surā baddhavairā hi daityair asyādhijye dhanuṣi vijayaṃ pauruhūte ca vajre //
ubhau (upagamya) vijayasva rājan /
rā (āsanād utthāya) abhivādaye bhavantau /
ubhau svasti bhavate / (iti phalāny upaharataḥ)
rā (sapraṇāmaṃ parigṛhya) ājñāpayitum icchāmi /

Nor is it wonderful that one whose arm
Might bolt a city gate, should keep from harm
The whole broad earth dark-belted by the sea;
For when the gods in heaven with demons fight,
Dushyanta's bow and Indra's weapon bright
Are their reliance for the victory.

The two youths (approaching). Victory, O King!

King (rising). I salute you.

The two youths. All hail! (They offer fruit.)

King (receiving it and bowing low). May I know the reason of your coming?

2.15a5

ubhau vidito bhavān āśramasadām ihasthaḥ / tena bhavantaṃ prārthayante /

The two youths. The hermits have learned that you are here, and they request------

2.15a6

rā kim ājñāpayanti /

King. They command rather.

2.15_2

ubhau tatrabhavataḥ kaṇvasya maharṣer asāṃnidhyād rakṣāṃsi neṣṭivighnam utpādayanti / tat katipayarātraṃ sārathidvitīyena bhavatā sanāthīkriyatām āśrama iti /

The two youths. The powers of evil disturb our pious life in the absence of the hermit-father. We therefore ask that you will remain a few nights with your charioteer to protect the hermitage.

2.15_3

rā anugṛhīto 'smi /

King. I shall be most happy to do so.

2.15_4

vidu (apavārya) eṣā idānīm anukūlā te 'bhyarthanā /

Clown (to the king). You rather seem to like being collared this way.

2.15a0

rā (smitaṃ kṛtvā) raivataka madvacanād ucyatāṃ sārathiḥ / sabāṇāsanaṃ ratham upasthāpaya iti /

King. Raivataka, tell my charioteer to drive up, and to bring the bow and arrows.

2.15a1

dau yad deva ājñāpayati / (iti niṣkrāntaḥ)

Raivataka. Yes, your Majesty. (Exit.)

2.16b1

ubhau (saharṣam)

The two youths.

2.16

anukāriṇi pūrveṣāṃ yuktarūpam idaṃ tvayi /
āpannābhayasatreṣu dīkṣitāḥ khalu pauravāḥ //
rā (sapraṇāmam) gacchatāṃ puro bhavantau / aham apy anupadam āgata eva /
ubhau vijayasva (iti niṣkrāntau)
rā mādhavya apy asti śakuntalādarśane kutūhalam /
vidu prathamaṃ saparivāham āsīt / idānīṃ rākṣasavṛttāntena bindur api nāvaśeṣitaḥ /

Thou art a worthy scion of
The kings who ruled our nation
And found, defending those in need,
Their truest consecration.

King. Pray go before. And I will follow straightway.

The two youths. Victory, O King! (Exeunt.)

King. Madhavya, have you no curiosity to see Shakuntala?

Clown. I did have an unending curiosity, but this talk about the powers of evil has put an end to it.

2.16a5

rā mā bhaiṣīḥ / nanu matsamīpe vartiṣyase /

King. Do not fear. You will be with me.

2.16a6

vidu eṣa rākṣasād rakṣito 'smi /

Clown. I'll stick close to your chariot-wheel. (Enter the door-keeper.)

2.16_2

(praviśya)

2.16_3

dau sajjo ratho bhartur vijayaprasthānam apekṣate / eṣa punar nagarād devīnāṃ jñaptiharaḥ karabhaka āgataḥ

Door-keeper. Your Majesty, the chariot is ready, and awaits your departure to victory. But one Karabhaka has come from the city, a messenger from the queen-mother.

2.16_4

rā (sādaram) im ambābhiḥ preṣitaḥ /

King (respectfully). Sent by my mother?

2.16a0

dau atha kim /

Door-keeper. Yes.

2.16a1

rā nanu praveśyatām /

King. Let him enter.

2.16a2

dau tathā / (iti niṣkramya karabhakeṇa saha praviśya) eṣa bhartā / upasarpa /

Door-keeper (goes out and returns with KARABHAKA). Karabhaka, here is his Majesty. You may draw near.

2.16a3

karabhaka jayatu jayatu bhartā / devy ājñāpayati / āgāmini caturthadivase pravṛttapāraṇo me upavāso bhaviṣyati / tatra dīrghāyuṣāvaśyaṃ saṃbhāvanīyeti /

Karabhaka (approaching and bowing low). Victory to your Majesty. The queen-mother sends her commands------

King. What are her commands?

Karabhaka. She plans to end a fasting ceremony on the fourth day from to-day. And on that occasion her dear son must not fail to wait upon her.

2.16a4

rā itas tapasvikāryam / ito gurujanājñā / dvayam apy anatikramaṇīyam / kim atra pratividheyam /

King. On the one side is my duty to the hermits, on the other my mother's command. Neither may be disregarded. What is to be done?

2.16a5_2

vidu triśaṅkur ivāntarā tiṣṭha /

Clown (laughing). Stay half-way between, like Trishanku.

2.17b1

rā satyam ākulībhūto 'smi /

King. In truth, I am perplexed.

2.17

kṛtyayor bhinnadeśatvād dvaidhībhavati me manaḥ /
puraḥ patihataṃ śaile srotaḥ srotovaho yathā //
(vicintya) sakhe tvam ambayā putra iti pratigṛhītaḥ / ato bhavān itaḥ pratinivṛtya tapasvikāryavyagramānasaṃ mām āvedya tatrabhavatīnāṃ putrakṛtyam anuṣṭhātum arhati /
vidu na khalu māṃ rakṣobhīrukaṃ gaṇayasi /
rā (sasmitam) katham etad bhavati saṃbhāvyate /
vidu yathā rājānujena gantavyaṃ tathā gacchāmi /

Two inconsistent duties sever
My mind with cruel shock,
As when the current of a river
Is split upon a rock.

[paragraph continues] (He reflects.) My friend, the queen-mother has always felt toward you as toward a son. Do you return, tell her what duty keeps me here, and yourself perform the offices of a son.

Clown. You don't think I am afraid of the devils?

King (smiling). O mighty Brahman, who could suspect it?

Clown. But I want to travel like a prince.

2.17a5

rā nanu tapovanoparodhaḥ pariharaṇīya iti sarvān ānuyātrikāṃs tvayaiva saha prasthāpayāmi /

King. I will send all the soldiers with you, for the pious grove must not be disturbed.

2.17a6

vidu (sagarvam) tena hi yuvarājo 'smīdānīṃ saṃvṛttaḥ /

Clown (strutting). Aha! Look at the heir-apparent!

2.17_2

rā (svagatam) capalo 'yaṃ baṭuḥ / kadācid asmatprārthanām antaḥpurebhyaḥ kathayet / bhavatu / enam evaṃ vakṣye / (vidūṣakaṃ haste gṛhītvā / prakāśam) vayasya ṛṣigauravād āśramaṃ gacchāmi / na khalu satyam eva tāpasakanyakāyāṃ mamābhilāṣaḥ / paśya /

King (to himself). The fellow is a chatterbox. He might betray my longing to the ladies of the palace. Good, then! (He takes the clown by the hand. Aloud.) Friend Madhavya, my reverence for the hermits draws me to the hermitage. Do not think that I am really in love with the hermit-girl. Just think:

2.18

kva vayaṃ kva parokṣamanmatho mṛgaśāvaiḥ samam edhito janaḥ /
parihāsavijalpitaṃ sakhe paramārthena na gṛhyatāṃ vacaḥ //
vidu atha kim /
(iti niṣkrāntāḥ sarve)

A king, and a girl of the calm hermit-grove,
Bred with the fawns, and a stranger to love!
Then do not imagine a serious quest;
The light words I uttered were spoken in jest.

Clown. Oh, I understand that well enough.

(Exeunt ambo.)

2.18.p1

iti dvitīyo 'ṅkaḥ /