The Recognition of Śakuntalā 4

4.1b1

(tataḥ praviśataḥ kusumāvacayaṃ nāṭayantyau sakhyau /

(Enter the two friends, gathering flowers.)

4.1b2

ana halā priyaṃvade yady api gāndharveṇa vidhinā nirvṛttakalyāṇā śakuntalānurūpabhartṛgāminī saṃvṛtteti nirvṛtaṃ me hṛdayaṃ tathāpy etāvac cintanīyam /

Anusuya. Priyamvada, dear Shakuntala has been properly married by the voluntary ceremony and she has a husband worthy of her. And yet I am not quite satisfied.

4.1b3

pri katham iva /

Priyamvada. Why not?

4.1b4

ana adya sa rājarṣir iṣṭiṃ parisamāpya+ṛṣibhir visarjita ātmano nagaraṃ praviśyāntaḥpurasamāgata ito+gataṃ vṛttāntaṃ smarati vā na veti /

Anusuya. The sacrifice is over and the good king was dismissed to-day by the hermits. He has gone back to the city and there he is surrounded by hundreds of court ladies. I wonder whether he will remember poor Shakuntala or not.

4.1b5

pri visrabdhā bhava / na tādṛśā ākṛtiviśeṣā guṇavirodhino bhavanti / tāta idānīm imaṃ vṛttāntaṃ śrutvā na jāne kiṃ pratipatsyata iti /

Priyamvada. You need not be anxious about that. Such handsome men are sure to be good. But there is something else to think about. I don't know what Father will have to say when he comes back from his pilgrimage and hears about it.

4.1b6

ana yathāhaṃ paśyāmi tathā tasyānumataṃ bhavet /

Anusuya. I believe that he will be pleased.

4.1b7

pri katham iva /

Priyamvada. Why?

4.1b8

ana guṇavate kanyakā pratipādanīyā ity ayaṃ tāvat prathamaḥ saṃkalpaḥ / taṃ yadi daivam eva saṃpādayati nanv aprayāsena kṛtārtho gurujanaḥ /

Anusuya. Why not? You know he wanted to give his daughter to a lover worthy of her. If fate brings this about of itself, why shouldn't Father be happy?

4.1b9

pri (puṣpabhājanaṃ vilokya) sakhi avacitāni balikarmaparyāptāni kusumāni /

Priyamvada. I suppose you are right. (She looks at her flower-basket.) My dear, we have gathered flowers enough for the sacrifice.

4.1b10

ana nanu sakhyāḥ śakuntalāyāḥ saubhāgyadevatārcanīyā /

Anusuya. But we must make an offering to the gods that watch over Shakuntala's marriage. We had better gather more.

4.1b11

pri yujyate / (iti tad eva karmābhinayataḥ)

Priyamvada. Very well. (They do so.)

4.1b12

(nepathye)

A voice behind the scenes. Who will bid me welcome?

4.1b13

ayam ahaṃ bhoḥ /

4.1b14

ana (karṇaṃ dattvā) sakhi atithīnām iva niveditam /

Anusuya (listening). My dear, it sounds like a guest announcing himself.

4.1b15

pri nanūṭajasaṃnihitā śakuntalā /

Priyamvada. Well, Shakuntala is near the cottage.

4.1b1_2

ana adya punar hṛdayenāsaṃnihitā / alam etāvadbhiḥ kusumaiḥ / (iti prasthite) (nepathye)

(Reflecting.) Ah, but to-day her heart is far away. Come, we must do with the flowers we have. (They start to walk away.)

The voice. Do you dare despise a guest like me?

4.1b2_2

āḥ atithiparibhāvini

4.1

vicintayantī yam ananyamānasā
tapodhanaṃ vetsi na mām upasthitam /
smariṣyati tvāṃ na sa bodhito 'pi san
kathāṃ pramattaḥ prathamaṃ kṛtām iva //
pri hā dhig ghā dhik / apriyam eva saṃvṛttam / kasminn api pūjārhe 'parāddhā śūnyahṛdayā śakuntalā / (puro 'valokya)
na khalu yasmin kasminn api / eṣa durvāsāḥ sulabhakopo maharṣiḥ / tathā śaptvā vegabalotphullayā durvārayā gatyā pratinivṛttaḥ /
ana ko 'nyo hutavahād dagdhuṃ prabhavati / gaccha / pādayoḥ praṇamya nivartaya enaṃ yāvad aham arghodakam upakalpayāmi /

Because your heart, by loving fancies blinded,
Has scorned a guest in pious life grown old,
Your lover shall forget you though reminded,
Or think of you as of a story told.

(The two girls listen and show dejection.)

Priyamvada. Oh, dear! The very thing has happened. The dear, absent-minded girl has offended some worthy man.

Anusuya (looking ahead). My dear, this is no ordinary somebody. It is the great sage Durvasas, the irascible. See how he strides away!

Priyamvada. Nothing burns like fire. Run, fall at his feet, bring him back, while I am getting water to wash his feet.

4.1a5

pri tathā (iti niṣkrāntā)

Anusuya. I will. (Exit.)

4.1a6

ana (padāntare skhalitaṃ nirūpya) aho āvegaskhalitayā gatyā prabhraṣṭaṃ mamāgrahastāt puṣpabhājanam / (iti puṣpoccayaṃ rūpayati)

Priyamvada (stumbling). There! I stumbled in my excitement, and the flower-basket fell out of my hand. (She collects the scattered flowers. ANUSUYA returns.)

4.1_2

(praviśya)

4.1_3

pri sakhi prakṛtivakraḥ sa kasyānunayaṃ pratigṛhṇāti / kim api punaḥ sānukrośaḥ kṛtaḥ /

Anusuya. My dear, he is anger incarnate. Who could appease him? But I softened him a little.

4.1_4

ana (sasmitam+tasmin bahv etad api / kathaya /

Priyamvada. Even that is a good deal for him. Tell me about it.

4.1a0

pri yadā nivartituṃ necchati tadā vijñāpito mayā /

Anusuya. When he would not turn back, I fell at his feet and prayed to him. "Holy sir," I said, "remember her former devotion and pardon this offence. Your daughter did not recognise your great and holy power to-day."

4.1a1

bhagavan prathama iti prekṣyāvijñātatapaḥprabhāvasya duhitṛjanasya bhagavataiko 'parādho marṣayitavya iti /

4.1a2

ana tatas tataḥ /

Priyamvada. And then------

4.1a3

pri tato na me vacanam anyathā+bhavitum arhati kiṃ tv abhijñānābharaṇadarśanena śāpo nivartiṣyata iti mantrayamāṇa evāntarhitaḥ /

Anusuya. Then he said: "My words must be fulfilled. But the curse shall be lifted when her lover sees a gem which he has given her for a token." And so he vanished.

4.1a4

ana śakyam idānīm āśvasitum / asti tena rājarṣiṇā saṃprasthitena svanāmadheyāṅkitam aṅgulīyakaṃ smaraṇīyam iti svayaṃ pinaddham / tasmin svādhīnopāyā śakuntalā bhaviṣyati /

Priyamvada. We can breathe again. When the good king went away, he put a ring, engraved with his own name, on Shakuntala's finger to remember him by. That will save her.

4.1a5_2

pri sakhi ehi / devakāryaṃ tāvad asyā nirvartayāvaḥ /

Anusuya. Come, we must finish the sacrifice for her. (They walk about.)

4.1a6_2

(iti parikrāmataḥ)

4.1a7

pri (vilokyānasūye paśya tāvat / vāmahastopahitavadanā ālikhiteva priyasakhī / bhartṛgatayā cintayātmānam api naiṣā vibhāvayati / kiṃ punar āgantukam /

Priyamvada (gazing). Just look, Anusuya! There is the dear girl, with her cheek resting on her left hand. She looks like a painted picture. She is thinking about him. How could she notice a guest when she has forgotten herself?

4.1a8

ana priyaṃvade dvayor eva nau mukhe eṣa vṛttāntas tiṣṭhatu / rakṣitavyā khalu prakṛtipelavā priyasakhī /

Anusuya. Priyamvada, we two must keep this thing to ourselves. We must be careful of the dear girl. You know how delicate she is.

4.1a9

pri ko nāma uṣṇodakena navamālikāṃ siñcati /

Priyamvada. Would any one sprinkle a jasmine-vine with scalding water? (Exeunt ambo.)

4.1a0_2

(iti niṣkrānte)

4.1a1_2

viṣkambhakaḥ /

4.1a2_2

(tataḥ praviśati suptotthitaḥ śiṣyaḥ)

(Enter a pupil of KANVA, just risen from sleep.)

4.2b1

śiṣya velopalakṣaṇārtham ādiṣṭo 'smi tatrabhavatā pravāsād upāvṛttena kāśyapena / prakāśaṃ nirgatas tāvad avalokayāmi kiyad avaśiṣṭaṃ rajanyā iti / (parikramyāvalokya ca) hanta prabhātam / tathā hi /

Pupil. Father Kanva has returned from his pilgrimage, and has bidden me find out what time it is. I will go into the open air and see how much of the night remains. (He walks and looks about.) See! The dawn is breaking. For already

4.2

yāty ekato 'staśikharaṃ patir oṣadhīnām
āviṣkṛtāruṇapuraḥsara ekato 'rkaḥ /
tejodvayasya yugapadvyasanodayābhyām
loko niyamyata ivātmadaśāntareṣu //

The moon behind the western mount is sinking;
The eastern sun is heralded by dawn;
From heaven's twin lights, their fall and glory linking,
Brave lessons of submission may be drawn.

4.3

antarhite śaśini saiva kumudvatī me
vṛṣṭiṃ na nandayati saṃsmaraṇīyaśobhā /
iṣṭapravāsajanitāny abalājanasya
duḥkhāni nūnam atimātrasuduḥsahāni //
(praviśyāpaṭīkṣepeṇa)
ana yady api nāma viṣayaparāṅmukhasya janasyaitan na viditaṃ tathāpi tena rājñā śakuntalāyām anāryam ācaritam /
śiṣya yāvad upasthitā homavelāṃ gurave nivedayāmi /
(iti niṣkrāntaḥ)

Night-blooming lilies, when the moon is hidden,
Have naught but memories of beauty left.
Hard, hard to bear! Her lot whom heaven has bidden
To live alone, of love and lover reft.

Anusuya (entering hurriedly. To herself). That is just what happens to the innocent. Shakuntala has been treated shamefully by the king.

Pupil. I will tell Father Kanva that the hour of morning sacrifice is come. (Exit.)

4.3a5

ana pratibuddhā api kiṃ kariṣyāmi / na ma uciteṣv api nijakaraṇīyeṣu hastapādaṃ prasarati / kāma idānīṃ sakāmo bhavatu yenāsatyasaṃdhe jane śuddhahṛdayā sakhī padaṃ kāritā / athavā durvāsaḥ śāpa eṣa vikārayati /

Anusuya. The dawn is breaking. I am awake bright and early. But what shall I do now that I am awake? My hands refuse to attend to the ordinary morning tasks. Well, let love take its course. For the dear, pure-minded girl trusted him--the traitor! Perhaps it is not the good king's fault. It must be the curse of Durvasas. Otherwise, how could the good king say such beautiful things, and then let all this time pass without even sending a message? (She reflects.) Yes, we must send him the ring he left as a token. But whom shall we ask to take it? The hermits are unsympathetic because they have never suffered. It seemed as if her friends were to blame and so, try as we might, we could not tell Father Kanva that Shakuntala was married to Dushyanta and was expecting a baby. Oh, what shall we do? (Enter PRIYAMVADA.)

4.3a6

anyathā kathaṃ sa rājarṣis tādṛśāni mantrayitvaitāvataḥ kālasya lekhamātram api na visṛjati /

4.3_2

tad ito 'bhijñānam aṅgulīyakaṃ tasya visṛjāvaḥ / duḥkhaśīle tapasvijane ko 'bhyarthyatām / nanu sakhīgāmī doṣa iti vyavasitā api na pārayāmi pravāsapratinivṛttasya tātakāśyapasya duṣyantapariṇītām āpannasattvāṃ śakuntalāṃ nivedayitum / itthaṃ gate 'smābhiḥ kiṃ karaṇīyam /

4.3_3

(praviśya)

4.3_4

pri (saharṣam) sakhi tvarasva tvarasva śakuntalāyāḥ prasthānakautukaṃ nivartayitum /

Priyamvada. Hurry, Anusuya, hurry! We are getting Shakuntala ready for her journey.

4.3a0

ana sakhi katham etat /

Anusuya (astonished). What do you mean, my dear?

4.3a1

pri śṛṇu / idānīṃ sukhaśayitapṛcchikā śakuntalāsakāśaṃ gatāsmi /

Priyamvada. Listen. I just went to Shakuntala, to ask if she had slept well.

4.3a2

ana tatas tataḥ /

Anusuya. And then------

4.3a3

pri tāvad enāṃ lajjāvanatamukhīṃ pariṣvajya tātapāśyapenaivam abhinanditam / diṣṭyā dūmākulitadṛṣṭer api yajamānasya pāvaka evāhutiḥ patitā / vatse suśiṣyaparidattā vidyeva aśocanīyāsi saṃvṛttā / adyaiva ṛṣirakṣitāṃ tvāṃ bhartuḥ sakāśaṃ visarjayāmīti /

Priyamvada. I found her hiding her face for shame, and Father Kanva was embracing her and encouraging her. "My child," he said, "I bring you joy. The offering fell straight in the sacred fire, and auspicious smoke rose toward the sacrificer. My pains for you have proved like instruction given to a good student; they have brought me no regret. This very day I shall give you an escort of hermits and send you to your husband."

4.3a4

ana atha kena sūcitas tātakāśyapasya vṛttāntaḥ /

Anusuya. But, my dear, who told Father Kanva about it?

4.3a5_2

pri agniśaraṇaṃ praviṣṭasya śarīraṃ vinā chandomayyā vāṇyā /

Priyamvada. A voice from heaven that recited a verse when he had entered the fire-sanctuary.

4.3a6_2

ana (savismayam) katham iva /

Anusuya (astonished). What did it say?

4.4b1

pri (saṃskṛtam āśritya)

Priyamvada. Listen. (Speaking in good Sanskrit.)

4.4

duṣyantenāhitaṃ tejo dadhānāṃ bhūtaye bhuvaḥ /
avehi tanayāṃ brahmann agnigarbhāṃ śamīm iva //
ana (priyaṃvadām āśliṣya) sakhi priyaṃ me / kiṃ tv adyaiva śakuntalā nīyata ity utkaṇṭhāsādhāraṇaṃ paritoṣam anubhavāmi /
pri sakhi āvāṃ tāvad utkaṇṭhāṃ vinodayiṣyāvaḥ / sā tapasvinī nirvṛtā bhavatu /
tena hy etasmiṃś cūtaśākhāvalambite nālikerasamudgaka etan nimittam eva kālāntarakṣamā nikṣiptā mayā kesaramālikā /
tad imāṃ hastasaṃnihitāṃ kuru / yāvad aham api tasyai mṛgarocanāṃ tīrthamṛttikāṃ durvākisalayānīti maṅgalasamālambhanāni viracayāmi /

Know, Brahman, that your child,
Like the fire-pregnant tree,
Bears kingly seed that shall be born
For earth's prosperity.

Anusuya (hugging PRIYAMVADA). I am so glad, dear. But my joy is half sorrow when I think that Shakuntala is going to be taken away this very day.

Priyamvada. We must hide our sorrow as best we can. The poor girl must be made happy to-day.

Anusuya. Well, here is a cocoa-nut casket, hanging on a branch of the mango-tree. I put flower-pollen in it for this very purpose. It keeps fresh, you know. Now you wrap it in a lotus-leaf, and I will get yellow pigment and earth from a sacred spot and blades of panic grass for the happy ceremony. (PRIYAMVADA does so. Exit ANUSUYA.)

4.4a5

pri tathā kriyatām / (anasūyā niṣkrāntā / priyaṃvadā nāṭyena sumanaso gṛhṇāti)

4.4a6

(nepathye) gautami ādiśyantāṃ śārṅgaravamiśrāḥ śakuntalānayanāya /

A voice behind the scenes. Gautami, bid the worthy Sharngarava and Sharadvata make ready to escort my daughter Shakuntala.

4.4_2

pri (karṇaṃ dattvā) anasūye tvarasva tvarasva / ete khalu hastināpuragāmina ṛṣayaḥ śabdāyyante /

Priyamvada (listening). Hurry, Anusuya, hurry! They are calling the hermits who are going to Hastinapura. (Enter ANUSUYA, with materials for the ceremony.)

4.4_3

(praviśya samālambhanahastā)

4.4_4

ana sakhi ehi / gacchāvaḥ / (iti parikrāmataḥ)

Anusuya. Come, dear, let us go. (They walk about.)

4.4a0

pri (vilokya) eṣā sūryodaya eva śikhāmajjitā pratīṣṭanīvārahastābhiḥ svastivācanikābhis tāpasībhir abhinandyamānā śakuntalā tiṣṭhati / upasarpāva enām /

Priyamvada (looking ahead). There is Shakuntala. She took the ceremonial bath at sunrise, and now the hermit-women are giving her rice-cakes and wishing her happiness. Let's go to her. (They do so. Enter SHAKUNTALA with attendants as described, and GAUTAMI.)

4.4a1

(ity upasarpataḥ)

4.4a2

(tataḥ praviśati yathoddiṣṭavyāpārā āsanasthā śakuntalā)

4.4a3

tāpasīnām anyatamā (śakuntalāṃ prati) jāte bhartur bahumānasūcakaṃ mahādevīśabdaṃ labhasva /

Gautami. My child, may you receive the happy title "queen," showing that your husband honours you.

4.4a4

dvitīyā vatse vīraprasavinī bhava /

Hermit-women. My dear, may you become the mother of a hero. (Exeunt all but GAUTAMI.)

4.4a5_2

tṛtīyā vatse bhartur bahumatā bhava /

4.4a6_2

(ity āśiṣo dattvā gautamīvarjaṃ niṣkrāntāḥ)

4.4a7

sakhyau (upasṛtya) sakhi sukhamajjanaṃ te bhavatu /

The two friends (approaching). Did you have a good bath, dear?

4.4a8

śaku svāgataṃ me sakhyoḥ / ito niṣīdatam /

Shakuntala. Good morning, girls. Sit here.

4.4a9

ubhe (maṅgalapātrāṇy ādāya / upaviśya) halā sajjā bhava / yāvat te maṅgalasamālambhanaṃ viracayāvaḥ /

The two friends (seating themselves). Now stand straight, while we go through the happy ceremony.

4.4a0_2

śaku idam api bahu mantavyam /durlabham idānīṃ me sakhīmaṇḍanaṃ bhaviṣyati / (iti bāṣpaṃ visṛjati)

Shakuntala. It has happened often enough, but I ought to be very grateful to-day. Shall I ever be adorned by my friends again? (She weeps.)

4.4a1_2

ubhe sakhi ucitaṃ na te maṅgalakāle roditum /

The two friends. You ought not to weep, dear, at this happy time. (They wipe the tears away and adorn her.)

4.4a2_2

pri ābharaṇocitaṃ rūpam āśramasulabhaiḥ prasādhanair viprakāryate /

Priyamvada. You are so beautiful, you ought to have the finest gems. It seems like.an insult to give you these hermitage things. (Enter HARITA, a hermit-youth, with ornaments.)

4.4a3_2

(praviśyopāyanahastāv ṛṣikumārakau)

4.4a4_2

ubhau idam alaṃkaraṇam / alaṃkriyatām atrabhavatī /

Harita. Here are ornaments for our lady. (The women look at them in astonishment.)

4.4a5_3

(sarvā vilokya vismitāḥ)

4.4a6_3

gautamī vatsa nārada kuta etat /

Gautami. Harita, my son, whence come these things?

4.4a7_2

prathamaḥ tātakāśyapaprabhāvāt /

Harita. From the holy power of Father Kanva.

4.4a8_2

gautamī kiṃ mānasī siddhiḥ /

Gautami. A creation of his mind?

4.5b1

dvitīyaḥ na khalu / śrūyatām / tatrabhavatā vayam ājñaptāḥ śakuntalāhetor vanaspatibhyaḥ kusumāny āhara iti / tata idānīm

Harita. Not quite. Listen. Father Kanva sent us to gather blossoms from the trees for Shakuntala, and then

4.5

kṣaumaṃ kenacid indupāṇḍu taruṇā māṅgalyam āviṣkṛtam
niṣṭhyūtaś caraṇopabhogasulabho lākṣārasaḥ kenacit /
anyebhyo vanadevatākaratalair āparvabhogotthitair
dattāny ābharaṇāni tatkisalayodbhedapratidvandvibhiḥ //

One tree bore fruit, a silken marriage dress
That shamed the moon in its white loveliness;
Another gave us lac-dye for the feet;
From others, fairy hands extended, sweet
Like flowering twigs, as far as to the wrist,
And gave us gems, to adorn her as we list.

4.5a9

priyaṃvadā (śakuntalāṃ vilokya) halā anayābhyupapattyā sūcitā te bhartur gehe 'nubhavitavyā rājalakṣmīḥ /

Gautami. This gracious favour is a token of the queenly happiness which you are to enjoy in your husband's palace. (SHAKUNTALA shows embarrassment.)

4.5a0

(śakuntalā vrīḍāṃ rūpayati)

4.5a1

prathama gautama ehy ehi / abhiṣekottīrṇāya kāśyapāya vanaspatisevāṃ nivedayāvaḥ /

4.5a2

dvitīyaḥ tathā /

4.5a3

(iti niṣkrāntau)

4.5a4

sakhyau aye anupayuktabhūṣaṇo 'yaṃ janaḥ / citrakarmaparicayenāṅgeṣu ta ābharaṇaviniyogaṃ kurvaḥ /

4.5a5

śaku jāne vāṃ naipunam /

Shakuntala. I know how clever you are. (The two friends adorn her. Enter KANVA, returning after his ablutions.)

4.5a6

(ubhe nāṭyenālaṃkrutaḥ)

4.5a7

(tataḥ praviśati snānottīrṇaḥ kāśyapaḥ)/

4.6b1

kāśyaha

Kanva.

4.6

yāsyaty adya śakuntaleti hṛdayaṃ saṃspṛṣṭam utkaṇṭhayā
kaṇṭhaḥ stambhitabāṣpavṛttikaluṣaś cintājaḍaṃ darśanam /
vaiklavyaṃ mama tāvad īdṛśam idaṃ snehād araṇyaukasaḥ
pīḍyante gṛhiṇaḥ kathaṃ nu tanayāviśleṣaduḥkhair navaiḥ //
(iti parikrāmani)
sakhyau halā śakuntale avasitamaṇḍanāsi / paridhatsva sāṃprataṃ kṣaumayugalam /
(śakuntalotthāya paridhatte)
gautamī jāte eṣa te ānandaparivāhiṇā cakṣuṣā pariṣvajamāna iva gurur upasthitaḥ / ācāraṃ tāvat pratipadyasva /

Shakuntala must go to-day;
I miss her now at heart;
I dare not speak a loving word
Or choking tears will start. My eyes are dim with anxious thought;
Love strikes me to the life:
And yet I strove for pious peace--
I have no child, no wife. What must a father feel, when come
The pangs of parting from his child at home?

(He walks about.)

The two friends. There, Shakuntala, we have arranged your ornaments. Now put on this beautiful silk dress. (SHAKUNTALA rises and does so.)

Gautami. My child, here is your father. The eyes with which he seems to embrace you are overflowing with tears of joy. You must greet him properly. (SHAKUNTALA makes a shamefaced reverence.)

4.7b1

śaku (savrīḍam) tāta vande /

4.7

kāśyapa vatse / yayāter iva śarmiṣṭhā bhartur bahumatā bhava /
sutaṃ tvam api saṃrājaṃ seva pūrum avāpnuhi //

Kanva. My child,

Like Sharmishtha, Yayati's wife,
Win favour measured by your worth;
And may you bear a kingly son
Like Puru, who shall rule the earth.

4.7a5

gautamī bhagavān varaḥ khalv eṣaḥ / nāśīḥ /

Gautami. My child, this is not a prayer, but a benediction.

4.7a6

kāśyapa vatse itaḥ sadyo hutān agnīn pradakṣiṇīkuruṣva /

Kanva. My daughter, walk from left to right about the fires in which the offering has just been thrown. (All walk about.)

4.7_2

(sarve parikrāmanti)

4.8b1

kāśyapa (ṛkchandasāśāste)

The holy fires around the altar kindle,
And at their margins sacred grass is piled;
Beneath their sacrificial odours dwindle
Misfortunes. May the fires protect you, child!

4.8

amī vediṃ paritaḥ kḷptadhiṣṇyāḥ samidvantaḥ prāntasaṃstīrṇadarbhāḥ /
apaghnanto duritaṃ havyagandhair vaitānās tvāṃ bahnayaḥ pāvayantu //
pratiṣṭhasvedānīm / (sadṛṣṭikṣepam) kva te śārṅgaravamiśrāḥ / (praviśya)
śiṣya bhagavann ime smaḥ /
kāśyapa bhaginyās te mārgam ādeśaya /
śārṅgarava ita ito bhavatī / (sarve parikrāmanti)

(SHAKUNTALA walks about them from left to right.)

Kanva. Now you may start, my daughter. (He glances about.) Where are Sharngarava and Sharadvata? (Enter the two pupils.)

The two pupils. We are here, Father.

Kanva. Sharngarava, my son, lead the way for your sister.

Sharngarava. Follow me. (They all walk about.)

4.9b1

kāśyapa bho bhoḥ saṃnihitās tapovanataravaḥ /

Kanva. O trees of the pious grove, in which the fairies dwell,

4.9

pātuṃ na prathamaṃ vyavasyati jalaṃ yuṣmāsv apīteṣu yā
nādatte priyamaṇḍanā api bhavatāṃ snehena yā pallavam /
ādye vaḥ kusumaprasūtisamaye yasyā bhavaty utsavaḥ
seyaṃ yāti śakuntalā patigṛhaṃ sarvair anujñāyatām //

She would not drink till she had wet
Your roots, a sister's duty,
Nor pluck your flowers; she loves you yet
Far more than selfish beauty. ’Twas festival in her pure life
When budding blossoms showed;
And now she leaves you as a wife--
Oh, speed her on her road!

4.9a5

(kokilaravaṃ sūcayitvā)

Sharngarava (listening to the song of koïl-birds). Father,

4.10

anumatagamanā śakuntalā tarubhir ayaṃ vanavāsabandhubhiḥ /
paribhṛtavirutaṃ kalaṃ yathā prativacanīkṛtam ebhir īdṛśam //
(ākāśe)

The trees are answering your prayer
In cooing cuckoo-song,
Bidding Shakuntala farewell,
Their sister for so long.

Invisible beings.

4.11

ramyāntaraḥ kamalinīharitaiḥ sarobhiś
chāyādrumair niyamitārkamayūkhatāpaḥ /
bhūyāt kuśeśayarajomṛdureṇur asyāḥ
śāntānukūlapavanaś ca śivaś ca panthāḥ //
(sarve savismayam ākarṇayanti)
gautamī jāte jñātijanasnigdhābhir anujñātagamanāsi tapovanadevatābhiḥ / praṇama bhagavatīḥ /
śaku (sapraṇāmaṃ parikramya / janāntikam) halā priyaṃvade āryaputradarśanotsukāyā apy āśramapadaṃ parityajantyā duḥkhena me caraṇau purataḥ pravartate /

May lily-dotted lakes delight your eye;
May shade-trees bid the heat of noonday cease;
May soft winds blow the lotus-pollen nigh;
May all your path be pleasantness and peace.

(All listen in astonishment.)

Gautami. My child, the fairies of the pious grove bid you farewell. For they love the household. Pay reverence to the holy ones.

Shakuntala (does so. Aside to PRIYAMVADA). Priyamvada, I long to see my husband, and yet my feet will hardly move. It is hard, hard to leave the hermitage.

4.12b1

pri na kevalaṃ tapovanavirahakātarā sakhy eva / tvayopasthitaviyogasya tapovanasya api tāvat samavasthā dṛśyate /

Priyamvada. You are not the only one to feel sad at this farewell. See how the whole grove feels at parting from you.

4.12

udgalitadarbhakavalā mṛgyaḥ parityaktanartanā mayūrāḥ /
apasṛtapāṇḍupatrā muñcanty aśrūṇīva latāḥ //
śaku (smṛtvā) tāta latābhaginīṃ vanajyotsnāṃ tāvad āmantrayiṣye /
kāśyapa avaimi te tasyāṃ sodaryāsneham / iyaṃ tāvad dakiṣiṇena /
śaku (upetya latām āliṅgya) vanajyotsne cūtasaṃgatā api māṃ pratyāliṅgetogatābhiḥ śākhābāhābhiḥ /
adyaprabhṛti dūraparivartinī te khalu bhaviṣyāmi /

The grass drops from the feeding doe;
The peahen stops her dance;
Pale, trembling leaves are falling slow,
The tears of clinging plants.

Shakuntala (recalling something). Father, I must say good-bye to the spring-creeper, my sister among the vines.

Kanva. I know your love for her. See! Here she is at your right hand.

Shakuntala (approaches the vine and embraces it). Vine sister, embrace me too with your arms, these branches. I shall be far away from you after to-day. Father, you must care for her as you did for me.

4.13b1

kāśyapa

Kanva.

4.13

saṃkalpitaṃ prathamam eva mayā tavārthe
bhartāram ātmasadṛśaṃ sukṛtair gatā tvam /
cūtena saṃśritavatī navamālikeyam
asyām ahaṃ tvayi ca saṃprati vītacintaḥ //

My child, you found the lover who
Had long been sought by me;
No longer need I watch for you;
I'll give the vine a lover true,
This handsome mango-tree.

4.13a5

itaḥ panthānaṃ pratipadyasva /

[paragraph continues] And now start on your journey.

4.13a6

śaku (sakhyau prati) halā eṣā dvayor yuvayor haste nikṣepaḥ /

Shakuntala (going to the two friends). Dear girls, I leave her in your care too.

4.13_2

sakhyau ayaṃ janaḥ kasya haste samarpitaḥ / (iti bāṣpaṃ viharataḥ)

The two friends. But who will care for poor us? (They shed tears.)

4.13_3

kāśyapa anasūye alaṃ ruditvā / nanu bhavatībhyām eva sthirīkartavyā śakuntalā /

Kanva. Anusuya! Priyamvada! Do not weep. It is you who should cheer Shakuntala. (All walk about.)

4.13_4

śaku tāta eṣoṭajaparyantacāriṇī garbhamantharā mṛgavadhūr yadānaghaprasavā bhavati tadā mahyaṃ kam api priyanivedayitṛkaṃ visarjayiṣyatha /

Shakuntala. Father, there is the pregnant doe, wandering about near the cottage. When she becomes a happy mother, you must send some one to bring me the good news. Do not forget.

4.13a0

kāśyapa nedaṃ vismariṣyāmaḥ /

Kanva. I shall not forget, my child.

4.13a1

śaku (gatibhaṅgaṃ rūpayitvā) ko nu khalv eṣa nivasane me sajjate / (iti parāvartate )

Shakuntala (stumbling). Oh, oh! Who is it that keeps pulling at my dress, as if to hinder me? (She turns round to see.)

4.14b1

kāśyapa

Kanva.

4.14

yasya tvayā vraṇaviropaṇam iṅgudīnām
tailaṃ nyaṣicyata mukhe kuśasūcividdhe /
śyāmākamuṣṭiparivardhitako jahāti
so 'yaṃ na putrakṛtakaḥ padavīṃ mṛgas te //
śaku vatsa kiṃ sahavāsaparityāginīṃ mām anusarasi / aciraprasūtayā jananyā vinā vardhita eva / idānīm api mayā virahitaṃ tvāṃ tātaś cintayiṣyati / nivartasva tāvat / (iti rudatī prasthitā)

It is the fawn whose lip, when torn
By kusha-grass, you soothed with oil;
The fawn who gladly nibbled corn
Held in your hand; with loving toil
You have adopted him, and he
Would never leave you willingly.

Shakuntala. My dear, why should you follow me when I am going away from home? Your mother died when you were born and I brought you up. Now I am leaving you, and Father Kanva will take care of you. Go back, dear! Go back! (She walks away, weeping.)

4.15b1

kāśyapa

Kanva. Do not weep, my child. Be brave. Look at the path before you.

4.15

utpakṣmaṇor nayanayor uparuddhavṛttim
bāṣpaṃ kuru sthiratayā viratānubandham /
asminn alakṣitanatonnatabhūmibhāge
mārge padāni khalu te viṣamībhavanti //
śārṅgaravaḥ bhavagān / odakāntaṃ snigdho jano 'nugantavya iti śrūyate /
tad idaṃ sarastīram / atra saṃdiśya pratigantum arhati /
kāśyapa tena hīmāṃ kṣīravṛkṣachāyām āśrayāmaḥ /

Be brave, and check the rising tears
That dim your lovely eyes;
Your feet are stumbling on the path
That so uneven lies.

Sharngarava. Holy Father, the Scripture declares that one should accompany a departing loved one only to the first water. Pray give us your commands on the bank of this pond, and then return.

Kanva. Then let us rest in the shade of this fig-tree. (All do so.) What commands would it be fitting for me to lay on King Dushyanta? (He reflects.)

4.15a5

(sarve parikramya sthitāḥ )

4.15a6

kāśyapa (ātmagatam) kiṃ nu khalu tatrabhavato duṣyantasya yuktarūpam asmābhiḥ saṃdeṣṭavyam / (iti cintayati)

4.15_2

śaku (janāntikam) halā paśya / nalinīpatrāntaritam api sahacaram apaśyanty āturā cakravākyy aṭati duṣkaram ahaṃ karomīti /

Anusuya. My dear, there is not a living thing in the whole hermitage that is not grieving to-day at saying good-bye to you. Look!

The sheldrake does not heed his mate
Who calls behind the lotus-leaf;
He drops the lily from his bill
And turns on you a glance of grief.

4.16b1

ana sakhi maivaṃ mantrayasva /

4.16

eṣā api priyeṇa vinā gamayati rajanīṃ viṣādadīrghatarām /
gurv api virahaduḥkham āśābandhaḥ sāhayati //
kāśyapa śārṅgarava iti tvayā madvacanāt sa rājā śakuntalāṃ puraskṛtya vaktavyaḥ /
śārṅgarava ājñāpayatu bhagavān /

Kanva. Son Sharngarava, when you present Shakuntala to the king, give him this message from me.

4.17b1

kāśyapa

Remembering my religious worth,
Your own high race, the love poured forth
By her, forgetful of her friends,
Pay her what honour custom lends
To all your wives. And what fate gives
Beyond, will please her relatives.

4.17

asmān sādhu vicintya saṃyamadhanān uccaiḥ kulaṃ cātmanas
tvayy asyāḥ katham apy bāndhavakṛtāṃ snehapravṛttiṃ ca tām /
sāmānyapratipattipūrvakam iyaṃ dāreṣu dṛśyā tvayā
bhāgyāyattam ataḥ paraṃ na khalu tadvācyaṃ vadhūbandhubhiḥ //
śārṅgarava gṛhītaḥ saṃdeśaḥ /
kāśyapa vatse tvam idānīm anuśāsanīyāsi / vanaukaso 'pi santo laukikajñā vayam /

Sharngarava. I will not forget your message, Father.

Kanva (turning to SHAKUNTALA). My child, I must now give you my counsel. Though I live in the forest, I have some knowledge of the world.

4.17a5

śārṅgarā na khalu dhimatāṃ kaścid aviṣayo nāma /

Sharngarava. True wisdom, Father, gives insight into everything.

4.18b1

kāśyapa sā tvam itaḥ patikulaṃ prāpya

Kanva. My child, when you have entered your husband's home,

4.18

śuśrūṣasva gurūn kuru priyasakhīvṛttiṃ sapatnījane
bhartṛviprakṛtā api roṣaṇatayā mā sma pratīpaṃ gamaḥ /
bhūyiṣṭhaṃ bhava dakṣiṇā parijane bhāgyeṣv anutsekinī
yānty evaṃ gṛhiṇīpadaṃ yuvatayo vāmāḥ kulasyādhayaḥ //
kathaṃ vā gautamī manyate /
gau etāvān vadhhūjanasyopadeśaḥ / jāte etat khalu sarvam avadhāraya /
kāśyapa vatse pariṣvajasva māṃ sakhījanaṃ ca /
śaku tāta ita eva kiṃ priyaṃvadānasūye sakhyau nivartiṣyete /

Obey your elders; and be very kind
To rivals; never be perversely blind
And angry with your husband, even though he
Should prove less faithful than a man might be;
Be as courteous to servants as you may,
Not puffed with pride in this your happy day:
Thus does a maiden grow into a wife;
But self-willed women are the curse of life.

[paragraph continues] But what does Gautami say?

Gautami. This is advice sufficient for a bride. (To SHAKUNTALA.) You will not forget, my child.

Kanva. Come, my daughter, embrace me and your friends.

Shakuntala. Oh, Father! Must my friends turn back too?

4.18a5

kāśyapa vatse ime api pradeye / na yuktam anayos tatra gantum / tvayā saha gautamī yāsyati /

Kanva. My daughter, they too must some day be given in marriage. Therefore they may not go to court. Gautami will go with you.

4.18a6

śaku (pitaram āśliṣya) katham idānīṃ tātasyāṅkāt paribhraṣṭā malayataṭonmūlitā candanalateva deśāntare jīvitaṃ dhārayiṣyāmi /

Shakuntala (throwing her arms about her father). I am torn from my father's breast like a vine stripped from a sandal-tree on the Malabar hills. How can I live in another soil? (She weeps.)

4.19b1

kāśyapa vatse kim evaṃ kātarāsi /

Kanva. My daughter, why distress yourself so?

4.19

abhijanavato bhartuḥ ślāghye sthitā gṛhiṇīpade
vibhavagurubhiḥ kṛtyais tasya pratikṣaṇam ākulā /
tanayam acirāt prācīvārkaṃ prasūya ca pāvanam
mama virahajāṃ na tvaṃ vatse śucaṃ gaṇayiṣyāmi //
(śakuntalā pitḥ pādayoḥ patati)
kāśyapa yad icchāmi te tad astu /
śaku (sakhyāv upetya) halā dve api māṃ samam eva pariṣvajethām /

A noble husband's honourable wife,
You are to spend a busy, useful life
In the world's eye; and soon, as eastern skies
Bring forth the sun, from you there shall arise
A child, a blessing and a comfort strong--
You will not miss me, dearest daughter, long.

Shakuntala (falling at his feet). Farewell, Father.

Kanva. My daughter, may all that come to you which I desire for you.

Shakuntala (going to her two friends). Come, girls! Embrace me, both of you together.

4.19a0

sakhyau (tathā kṛtvā) sakhi yadi nāma sa rājā pratyabhijñānamantharo bhavet tatas tasmāy idam ātmanāmadheyāṅkitam aṅgulīyakaṃ darśaya /

The two friends (do so). Dear, if the good king should perhaps be slow to recognise you, show him the ring with his own name engraved on it.

4.19a1

śaku anena saṃdehena vām ākampitāsmi /

Shakuntala. Your doubts make my heart beat faster.

4.19a2

sakhyau mā bhaiṣīḥ / atisnehaḥ pāpaśaṅkī /

The two friends. Do not be afraid, dear. Love is timid.

4.19a3

śārṅgarava yugāntaram ārūḍhaḥ savitā / tvvaratām atrabhavatī /

Sharngarava (looking about). Father, the sun is in mid-heaven. She must hasten.

4.19a4

śaku (āśramābhimukhī sthitavā) tāta kadā nu bhūyas tapovanaṃ prekṣiṣye /

Shakuntala (embracing KANVA once more). Father, when shall I see the pious grove again?

4.20b1

kāśyapa śrūyatām /

Kanva. My daughter,

4_2

bhūtvā cirāya caturantamahīsapatnī
dauṣyantim apratirathaṃ tanayaṃ niveśya /
bhartrā tadarpitakuṭumbabhareṇa sārdham
śānte kariṣyasi padaṃ punar āśrame 'smin //

4.20

gautamī jāte parihīyate gamanavelā / nivartaya pitaram / athavā cireṇa api punaḥ punar eṣaivaṃ mantrayiṣyate / nivartatāṃ bhavān /
kāśyapa vatse uparudhyate tapo 'nuṣṭhānam /
śaku (bhūyaḥ pitaram āśliṣya+tapaścaraṇapīḍitaṃ tātaśarīram / tan mātimātraṃ mama kṛta utkaṇṭhasva /

Gautami. My child, the hour of your departure is slipping by. Bid your father turn back. No, she would never do that. Pray turn back, sir.

Kanva. Child, you interrupt my duties in the pious grove.

Shakuntala. Yes, Father. You will be busy in the grove. You will not miss me. But oh! I miss you.

4.21b1

kāśyapa (saniḥśvāsam)

Kanva. How can you think me so indifferent? (He sighs.)

4.21

śamam eṣyati mama śokaḥ kathaṃ nu vatse tvayā racitapūrvam /
uṭajadvāravirūḍhaṃ nīvārabaliṃ vilokayataḥ //
gaccha / śivās te panthānaḥ santu /

My lonely sorrow will not go,
For seeds you scattered here
Before the cottage door, will grow;
And I shall see them, dear.

[paragraph continues] Go. And peace go with you. (Exit SHAKUNTALA, With GAUTAMI, SHARNGARAVA, and SHARADVATA.)

4.21a5

(niṣkrāntā śakuntalā sahayāyinaś ca)

4.21a6

sakhyau (śakuntalāṃ vilokya) hā dhig ghā dhik / antarhitā śakuntalā vanarājyā /

The two friends (gazing long after her. Mournfully). Oh, oh! Shakuntala is lost among the trees.

4.21_2

kāśyapa (saniḥśvāsam) anasūye gatavatī vāṃ sahacāriṇī / nigṛhya śokam anugacchataṃ māṃ prasthitam /

Kanva. Anusuya! Priyamvada! Your companion is gone. Choke down your grief and follow me. (They start to go back.)

4.21_3

ubhe tāta śakuntalāvirahitaṃ śūnyam iva tapovanaṃ kathaṃ praviśāvaḥ /

The two friends. Father, the grove seems empty without Shakuntala.

4.22b1

kāśyapa snehavṛttir evaṃ darśinī / (savimarśaṃ parikramya) hanta bhoḥ śakuntalāṃ patikulaṃ visṛjya labdham idānīṃ svāsthyam / kutaḥ /

Kanva. So love interprets. (He walks about, sunk in thought.) Ah! I have sent Shakuntala away, and now I am myself again. For

4.22

artho hi kanyā parakīya eva tām adya saṃpreṣya parigrahītuḥ /
jāto mamāyaṃ viśadaḥ prakāmaṃ pratyarpitanyāsa ivāntarātmā //
(iti niṣkrāntāḥ sarve)

A girl is held in trust, another's treasure;
To arms of love my child to-day is given;
And now I feel a calm and sacred pleasure;
I have restored the pledge that came from heaven.

(Exeunt omnes.)

4.22.p1

iti caturtho 'ṅkaḥ /