The Recognition of Śakuntalā 5

5.1b1

(tataḥ praviśaty āsanasho rājā vidūṣakaś ca)

(He walks about. Enter the king, the clown, and retinue according to rank.)

King (smiling). Well, let us sit down. (They seat themselves, and the retinue arranges itself. A lute is heard behind the scenes.)

5.1b2

vidu (karṇaṃ dattvā) bho vayasya saṃgītaśālāntare 'vadhānaṃ dehi /

Clown (listening). My friend, listen to what is going on in the music-room. Some one is playing a lute, and keeping good time. I suppose Lady Hansavati is practising.

5.1b3

kalaviśuddhāyā gīteḥ svarasaṃyogaḥ śrūyate / jāne tatrabhavatī haṃsapadikā varṇaparicayaṃ karotīti /

5.1b1_2

rājā tūṣṇīṃ bhava / yāvad ākarṇayāmi / (ākāśe gīyate)

King. Be quiet. I wish to listen.

A song behind the scenes.

5.1

abhinavamadhulolupas tvaṃ tathā paricumbya cūtamañjarīm /
kamalavasatimātranirvṛto madhukara vismṛto 'sy enāṃ katham //
rājā aho rāgaparivāhiṇī gītiḥ /
vidu kiṃ tāvad gītyā avagato 'kṣarārthaḥ /
rā (smitaṃ kṛtvā) sakṛtkṛtapraṇayo 'yaṃ janaḥ / tad asyā devīṃ vasumatīm antareṇa mahad upālambhanaṃ gato 'smi / sakhe mādhavya madvacanād ucyatāṃ haṃsapadikā / nipuṇam upālabdhāḥ sma iti /

You who kissed the mango-flower, Honey-loving bee, Gave her all your passion's power, Ah, so tenderly! How can you be tempted so By the lily, pet? Fresher honey 's sweet, I know; But can you forget?

King. What an entrancing song!

Clown. But, man, don't you understand what the words mean?

King (smiling). I was once devoted to Queen Hansavati. And the rebuke comes from her. Friend Madhavya, tell Queen Hansavati in my name that the rebuke is a very pretty one.

5.1a5

vidu yad bhavān ājñāpayati / (utthāya+bho vayasya gṛhītasya tayā parakīyair hastaiḥ śikhaṇḍake tāḍyamānasyāpsarasā vītarāgasyeva nāstīdānīṃ me mokṣaḥ /

Clown. Yes, sir. (He rises.) But, man, you are using another fellow's fingers to grab a bear's tail-feathers with. I have about as much chance of salvation as a monk who hasn't forgotten his passions.

5.1a6

rā gaccha / nāgarikavṛttyā saṃjñāpayainām /

King. Go. Soothe her like a gentleman.

5.1_2

vidu kā gatiḥ / (iti niṣkrāntāḥ)

Clown. I suppose I must. (Exit.)

5.2b1

rā (ātmagatam) kiṃ nu khalu gītam evaṃ vidhārtham ākarṇyeṣṭajanavirahād ṛte 'pi balavadutkaṇṭhito 'smi / athavā /

King (to himself). Why am I filled with wistfulness on hearing such a song? I am not separated from one I love.

And yet

5.2

ramyāṇi vīkṣya madhurāṃś ca niśamya śabdān paryutsuko bhavati yat sukhito 'pi jantuḥ /
tac cetasā smarati nūnam abodhapūrvaṃ bhāvasthirāṇi jananāntarasauhṛdāni //
(iti paryākulas tiṣṭhati)
(tataḥ praviśati kañcukī)

In face of sweet presentment
Or harmonies of sound,
Man e’er forgets contentment,
By wistful longings bound. There must be recollections
Of things not seen on earth,
Deep nature's predilections,
Loves earlier than birth.

[paragraph continues] (He shows the wistfulness that comes from unremembered things.)

5.3b1

kañcukī aho nu khalv īdṛśīm avasthāṃ pratipanno 'smi /

5.3

ācāra ity avahitena mayā gṛhītā
yā vetrayaṣṭir avarodhagṛheṣu rājñaḥ /
kāle gate bahutithe mama saiva jātā
prasthānaviklavagater avalambanārthā //
bho kāmaṃ dharmakāryam anatipātyaṃ devasya / tathāpīdānīm eva dharmāsanād utthitāya punar uparodhakāri kaṇvaśiṣyāgamanam asmai notsahe nivedayitum / athavāviśramo 'yaṃ lokatantrādhikāraḥ / kutaḥ /

5.4

bhānuḥ sakṛd yuktaturaṅga eva rātriṃ divaṃ gandhavahaḥ prayāti /
śeṣaḥ sadā evāhitabhūmibhāraḥ ṣaṣṭhāṃśavṛtter api dharma eṣaḥ //
yāvan niyogam anutiṣṭhāmi / (parikramyāvalokya ca) eṣa devaḥ

5.5

prajāḥ prajāḥ svā iva tantrayitvā
niṣevate śrāntamanā viviktam /
yūthāni saṃcārya raviprataptaḥ
śītaṃ divā sthānam iva dvipendraḥ //
(upagamya) jayatu jayatu devaḥ / ete khalu himagirer upatyakāraṇyavāsinaḥ kāśyapasaṃdeśam ādāya sastrīkās tapasvinaḥ saṃprāptāḥ / śrutvā devaḥ pramāṇam /
rā (sādaram) kiṃ kāśyapasaṃdeśahāriṇaḥ /
kañcukī atha kim /

Chamberlain (approaching). Victory to your Majesty. Here are hermits who dwell in the forest at the foot of the Himalayas. They bring women with them, and they carry a message from Kanva. What is your pleasure with regard to them?

King (astonished). Hermits? Accompanied by women? From Kanva?

Chamberlain. Yes.

5.5a5

rā tena hi madvacanād vijñāpyatām upādhyāha somarātaḥ / amūn āśramavāsinaḥ śrautena vidhinā satkṛtya svayam eva praveśayitum arhasīti / aham apy atra tapasvidarśanocite pradeśe sthitaḥ pratipālayāmi /

King. Request my chaplain Somarata in my name to receive these hermits in the manner prescribed by Scripture, and to conduct them himself before me. I will await them in a place fit for their reception.

5.5a6

kañcukī yad ājñāpayati devaḥ (iti niṣkrāntaḥ)

Chamberlain. Yes, your Majesty. (Exit.)

5.5_2

rā (utthāya) vetravati agniśaraṇamārgam ādeśaya /

King (rising). Vetravati, conduct me to the fire-sanctuary.

5.5_3

pratihārī ita ito devaḥ /

Portress. Follow me, your Majesty. (She walks about.) Your Majesty, here is the terrace of the fire-sanctuary. It is beautiful, for it has just been swept, and near at hand is the cow that yields the milk of sacrifice. Pray ascend it.

5.6b1

rā (parikrāmati / adhikārakhedaṃ nirūpya) sarvaḥ prārthitam artham adhigamya sukhī saṃpadyate jantuḥ / rājñāṃ tu caritārthatā duḥkhottaraiva /

5.6

autsukyamātram avasāyayati pratiṣṭhā
kliśnāti labdhaparipālanavṛttir eva /
nātiśramāpanayanāya yathā śramāya
rājyaṃ svahastadhṛtadaṇḍam ivātapatram //

5.7b1

vaitālikau vijayatāṃ devaḥ /

5.7

prathamaḥ svasukhanirabhilāṣaḥ khidyase lokahetoḥ
pratidinam athavā te vṛttir evaṃ vidhaiva /
anubhavati hi mūrdhnā padapa tīvram uṣṇam
śamayati paritāpaṃ chāyayā saṃśritānām //

5.8b1

dvitīyaḥ

5.8

niyamayasi vimārgaprasthitān āttadaṇḍaḥ
praśamayasi vivādaṃ kalpase rakṣaṇāya /
atanuṣu vibhaveṣu jñātayaḥ santu nāma
tvayi tu parisamāptaṃ bandhukṛtya prajānām //
rājā ete klāntamanasaḥ punar navīkṛtāḥ smaḥ / (iti parikrāmati)
pratihārī eṣa abhinavasaṃmārjanasaśrīkaḥ saṃnihitahomadhenur agniśaraṇālindaḥ / ārohatu devaḥ /

5.9b1

rā (āruhya parijanāṃsāvalambī tiṣṭhati) vetravati kim uddiśya bhagavatā kāśyapena matsakāśam ṛṣayaḥ preṣitāḥ syuḥ /

King (ascends and stands leaning on the shoulder of an attendant.) Vetravati, with what purpose does Father Kanva send these hermits to me?

5.9

kiṃ tāvad vratinām upoḍhatapasāṃ vighnais tapo dūṣitam
dharmāraṇyacareṣu kenacid uta prāṇiṣv asacceṣṭitam /
āhosvit prasavo mamāpacaritair viṣṭambhito vīrudhām
ity ārūḍhabahupratarkam aparicchedākulaṃ me manaḥ //
pratihārī sucaritanandina ṛṣayo devaṃ sabhājayitum āgatā iti tarkayāmi /
(tataḥ praviśanti gautamī sahitāḥ śakuntalāṃ puraskṛtya munayaḥ / puraś caiṣāṃ kañcukī purohitaś ca)

Do leaguèd powers of sin conspire
To balk religion's pure desire?
Has wrong been done to beasts that roam
Contented round the hermits' home?
Do plants no longer bud and flower,
To warn me of abuse of power?
These doubts and more assail my mind,
But leave me puzzled, lost, and blind.

Portress. How could these things be in a hermitage that rests in the fame of the king's arm? No, I imagine they have come to pay homage to their king, and to congratulate him on his pious rule.

(Enter the chaplain and the chamberlain, conducting the two pupils of KANVA, With GAUTAMI and SHAKUNTALA.)

5.9a5

kañcukī ita ito bhavantaḥ /

Chamberlain. Follow me, if you please.

5.10b1

śārṅgarava śāradvata /

Sharngarava. Friend Sharadvata,

5.10

mahābhāgaḥ kāmaṃ narapatir abhinnasthitir asau
na kaścid varṇānām apatham apakṛṣṭo 'pi bhajate /
tathāpīdaṃ śaśvatparicitaviviktena manasā /
janākīrṇaṃ manye hutavahaparītaṃ gṛham iva //

The king is noble and to virtue true;
None dwelling here commit the deed of shame;
Yet we ascetics view the worldly crew
As in a house all lapped about with flame.

5.11b1

śāradvata sthāne bhavān purapraveśād itthaṃ bhūtaḥ saṃvṛttaḥ / aham api

Sharadvata. Sharngarava, your emotion on entering the city is quite just. As for me,

5.11

abhyaktam api snātaḥ śucir aśucim iva prabuddha iva suptam /
baddham iva svairagatir janam iha sukhasaṅginam avaimi //
śaku (nimittaṃ sūcayitvā) aho kiṃ me vāmetaran nayanaṃ visphurati /
gautamī jāte pratihatam amaṅgalam /sukhāni te bhartṛkuladevatā vitarantu (iti parikrāmati)
purohita (rājānaṃ nirdiśya+bho bhos tapasvinaḥ asāv atrabhavān varṇāśramāṇāṃ rakṣitā prāg eva muktāsano vaḥ pratipālayati / paśyata enam /

Free from the world and all its ways,
I see them spending worldly days
As clean men view men smeared with oil,
As pure men, those whom passions soil,
As waking men view men asleep,
As free men, those in bondage deep.

Shakuntala (observing an evil omen). Oh, why does my right eye throb?

Gautami. Heaven avert the omen, my child. May happiness wait upon you. (They walk about.)

Chaplain (indicating the king). O hermits, here is he who protects those of every station and of every age. He has already risen, and awaits you. Behold him.

5.12b1

śārṅgarava bho mahābrāhmaṇa kāmam etad abhinandanīyaṃ tathāpi vayam atra madhyasthāḥ / kutaḥ

Sharngarava. Yes, it is admirable, but not surprising. For

5.12

bhavanti naṃrās taravaḥ phalāgamair navāmbubhir dūravilambino ghanāḥ /
anuddhatāḥ satpuruṣāḥ samṛddhibhiḥ svabhāva evaiṣa paropakāriṇām //
pratīhārī deva prasannamukhavarṇā dṛśyante / jānāmi viśrabdhakāryā ṛṣayaḥ /

Fruit-laden trees bend down to earth;
The water-pregnant clouds hang low;
Good men are not puffed up by power
The unselfish are by nature so.

Portress. Your Majesty, the hermits seem to be happy. They give you gracious looks.

5.13b1

rājā (śakuntalāṃ dṛṣṭvā) athātra bhavatī

King (observing SHAKUNTALA). Ah!

5.13

kā svid avaguṇṭhanavatī nātiparisphuṭaśarīralāvaṇyā /
madhye tapodhanānāṃ kisalayam iva pāṇḍupatrāṇām //
pratīhārī deva kutūhalagarbhaḥ prahito na me tarkaḥ prasarati / nanu darśanīyā punar asyā ākṛtir lakṣyate /
rājā bhavatu / anirvarṇanīyaṃ parakalatram /
śaku (hastam urasi kṛtvā / ātmagatam) hṛdaya kim evaṃ vepase / āryaputrasya bhāvam avadhārya dhīraṃ tāvad bhava /

Who is she, shrouded in the veil
That dims her beauty's lustre,
Among the hermits like a flower
Round which the dead leaves cluster?

Portress. Your Majesty, she is well worth looking at.

King. Enough! I must not gaze upon another's wife.

Shakuntala (laying her hand on her breast. Aside). Oh, my heart, why tremble so? Remember his constant love and be brave.

5.13a5

purohita (puro gatvā) ete vidhivad arcitās tapasvinaḥ / kaścid eṣām upādhyāyasaṃdeśaḥ / taṃ devaḥ śrotum arhati /

Chaplain (advancing). Hail, your Majesty. The hermits have been received as Scripture enjoins. They have a message from their teacher. May you be pleased to hear it.

5.13a6

rājā avahito 'smi /

King (respectfully). I am all attention.

5.13_2

ṛṣayaḥ (hastān udyamya) vijayasva rājan /

The two pupils (raising their right hands). Victory, O King.

5.13_3

rā sarvān abhivādaye /

King (bowing low). I salute you all.

5.13_4

ṛṣayaḥ iṣṭena yujyasva /

The two pupils. All hail.

5.13a0

rā api nirvighnatapaso munayaḥ /

King. Does your pious life proceed without disturbance?

5.14b1

ṛṣayaḥ

The two pupils.

5.14

kuto dharmakriyāvighnaḥ satāṃ rakṣitari tvayi /
tamas tapati dharmāṃśau katham āvir bhaviṣyati //
rā arthavān khalu me rājaśabdaḥ / atha bhagavāṃl lokānugrahāya kuśalī kāśyapaḥ /
śārṅgaravaḥ svādhīnakuśalāḥ siddhimantaḥ / sa bhavantam anāmayapraśnapūrvakam idam āha /
rā kim ājñāpayati bhagavān /

How could the pious duties fail
While you defend the right?
Or how could darkness' power prevail
O’er sunbeams shining bright?

King (to himself). Indeed, my royal title is no empty one. (Aloud.) Is holy Kanva in health?

Sharngarava. O King, those who have religious power can command health. He asks after your welfare and sends this message.

King. What are his commands?

5.15b1

śā yan mithaḥsamayād imāṃ madīyāṃ duhitaraṃ bhavān upāyaṃsta tan mayā prītimatā yuvayor anujñātam / kutaḥ

Sharngarava. He says: "Since you have met this my daughter and have married her, I give you my glad consent. For

5.15

tvam arhatāṃ prāgrasaraḥ smṛto 'si naḥ
śakuntalā mūrtimatī ca satkriyā /
samānayaṃs tulyaguṇaṃ vadhūvaram
cirasya vācyaṃ na gataḥ prajāpatiḥ //
tad idānīm āpannasattveyaṃ pratigṛhyatāṃ sahadharmacaraṇāyeti /

You are the best of worthy men, they say;
And she, I know, Good Works personified;
The Creator wrought for ever and a day,
In wedding such a virtuous groom and bride.

[paragraph continues] She is with child. Take her and live with her in virtue."

5.16b1

gautamī ārya kim api vaktukāmāsmi / na me vacanāvasaro 'sti / katham iti /

Gautami. Bless you, sir. I should like to say that no one invites me to speak.

5.16

nāpekṣito gurujano 'nayā tvayā pṛṣṭo na bandhujanaḥ /
ekaikasminn eva carite bhaṇāmi kim ekaikam //
śaku (ātmagatam) kiṃ nu khalv āryaputro bhaṇati /
rā kim idam upanyastam /
śaku (ātmagatam) pāvakaḥ khalu vacanopanyāsaḥ /

Did she with father speak or mother?
Did you engage her friends in speech?
Your faith was plighted each to other;
Let each be faithful now to each.

Shakuntala. What will my husband say?

King (listening with anxious suspicion). What is this insinuation?

5.17b1

śā katham idaṃ nāma / bhavanta eva sutarāṃ lokavṛttāntaniṣṇātāḥ /

5.17

satīm api jñātikulaikasaṃśrayām
jano 'nyathā bhartṛmatīṃ viśaṅkate /
ataḥ samīpe pariṇetur iṣyate /
priyāpriyā vā pramadā svabandhubhiḥ //
rā kim atrabhavatī mayā pariṇītapūrvā /

5.17a5

śaku (saviṣādam) hṛdaya sāṃprataṃ te āśaṅkā /

Shakuntala (sadly to herself). Oh, my heart, you feared it, and now it has come.

5.18b1

śā kiṃ kṛtakāryadveṣo dharmaṃ prati vimukhatā kṛtāvajñā /

Sharngarava. O King,

A king, and shrink when love is done,
Turn coward's back on truth, and flee!

5.18b2

rā kuto 'yam asatkalpanāpraśnaḥ /

King. What means this dreadful accusation?

5.18b1_2

śā

Sharngarava (furiously).

5.18

mūrchanty amī vikārāḥ prāyeṇaiśvaryamatteṣu //
rā viśeṣeṇādhikṣipto 'smi /
gautamī jāte muhhūrtaṃ mā lajjasva / apaneṣyāmi tāvat te 'vaguṇṭhanam / tatas tvāṃ bhartābhijñāsyati /

O drunk with power! We might have known
That you were steeped in treachery.

King. A stinging rebuke!

Gautami (to SHAKUNTALA). Forget your shame, my child. I will remove your veil. Then your husband will recognise you. (She does so.)

5.19b1

rā (śakuntalāṃ nirvarṇya / ātmagatam)

King (observing SHAKUNTALA. To himself).

5.19

idam upanatam evaṃ rūpam akliṣṭakānti
prathamaparigṛhītaṃ syān na vety avyavasyan /
bhramara iva vibhāte kundam antastuṣāram
na ca khalu parobhoktuṃ nāpi śaknomi hātum //
(iti vicārayan sthitaḥ)
pratīhārī (svagatam) aho dharmāpekṣitā bhartuḥ / īdṛśaṃ nāma sukhopanataṃ rūpaṃ dṛṣṭā ko 'nyo vicārayati /

As my heart ponders whether I could ever
Have wed this woman that has come to me
In tortured loveliness, as I endeavour
To bring it back to mind, then like a bee That hovers round a jasmine flower at dawn,
While frosty dews of morning still o’erweave it,
And hesitates to sip ere they be gone,
I cannot taste the sweet, and cannot leave it.

Portress (to herself). What a virtuous king he is! Would any other man hesitate when he saw such a pearl of a woman coming of her own accord?

5.19a5

śā bho rājan kim iti joṣam āsyate /

Sharngarava. Have you nothing to say, O King?

5.19a6

rā bhos tapodhanāḥ cintayann api na khalu svīkaraṇam atrabhavatyāḥ smarāmi / tat katham imām abhivyaktasattvalakṣaṇāṃ pratyātmānaṃ kṣetriṇam aśaṅkamānaḥ pratipatsye /

King. Hermit, I have taken thought. I cannot believe that this woman is my wife. She is plainly with child. How can I take her, confessing myself an adulterer?

5.19_2

śakuntalā (apavārya) āryasya pariṇaya eva saṃdehaḥ / kuta idānīṃ me dūrādhirohiṇy āśā /

Shakuntala (to herself). Oh, oh, oh! He even casts doubt on our marriage. The vine of my hope climbed high, but it is broken now.

5.20b1

śār mā tāvat /

Sharngarava. Not so.

5_2

kṛtābhimarśām anumanyamānaḥ sutāṃ tvayā nāma munir vimānyaḥ /
muṣṭaṃ pratigrāhayatā svam arthaṃ pātrīkṛto dasyur ivāsi yena //

5.20

śāradvata śārṅgarava vimara tvam idānīm / śakuntale vaktavyam uktam asmābhiḥ / so 'yam atrabhavān evam āha / dīyatām asmai pratyayaprativacanam /
śaku (apavārya) idam avasthhāntaraṃ gate tādṛśe 'nurāge kiṃ vā smāritena / ātmedānīṃ me śocanīya iti vyavasitam etat / (prakāśam)
paurava yuktaṃ nāma te tathā purāśramapade svabhāvottānahṛdayam imaṃ janaṃ samayapūrvaṃ pratārya sāṃpratam īdṛśair akṣaraiḥ pratyākhyātum /

Sharadvata. Enough, Sharngarava. Shakuntala, we have said what we were sent to say. You hear his words. Answer him.

Shakuntala (to herself). He loved me so. He is so changed. Why remind him? Ah, but I must clear my own character. Well, I will try. (Aloud.) My dear husband--(She stops.) No, he doubts my right to call him that. Your Majesty, it was pure love that opened my poor heart to you in the hermitage. Then you were kind to me and gave me your promise. Is it right for you to speak so now, and to reject me?

5.21b1

rājā (karṇau vidhāya) śāntaṃ pāpam /

King (stopping his ears). Peace, peace!

5.21

vyapadeśam āvilayituṃ kim īhase janam imam a pātayitum /
kūlaṃ kaṣā iva sindhuḥ prasannam ambhas taṭataruṃ ca //
śaku bhavatu / yadi paramārthataḥ paraparigrahaśaṅkinā tvayaivaṃ pravṛttaṃ tad+abhijñānenānena tavāśaṅkām apaneṣyāmi /

A stream that eats away the bank,
Grows foul, and undermines the tree.
So you would stain your honour, while
You plunge me into misery.

Shakuntala. Very well. If you have acted so because you really fear to touch another man's wife, I will remove your doubts with a token you gave me.

5.21a5

rājā udāraḥ kalpaḥ /

King. An excellent idea!

5.21a6

śaku (mudrāsthānaṃ parāmṛśya) hā dhig ghā dhik / aṅgulīyakaśūnyā me 'ṅguliḥ / (iti saviṣādaṃ gautamīm avekṣate)

Shakuntala (touching her finger). Oh, oh! The ring is lost. (She looks sadly at GAUTAMI.)

5.21_2

gautamī nūnaṃ te śakrāvatārābhyantare śacītīrthasalilaṃ vandamānāyāḥ prabhraṣṭam aṅgulīyakam /

Gautami. My child, you worshipped the holy Ganges at the spot where Indra descended. The ring must have fallen there.

5.21_3

rājā (sasmitam) idaṃ tat pratyutpannamati straiṇam iti yad ucyate /

King. Ready wit, ready wit!

5.21_4

śaku atra tāvad vidhinā darśitaṃ prabhutvam /

Shakuntala. Fate is too strong for me there. I will tell you something else.

5.21a0

rājā śrotavyam idānīṃ saṃvṛttam /

King. Let me hear what you have to say.

5.21a1

śaku nanv ekasmin divase navamālikāmaṇḍape nalinīpatrabhājanagatam udakaṃ tava haste saṃnihitam āsīt /

Shakuntala. One day, in the bower of reeds, you were holding a lotus-leaf cup full of water.

5.21a2

rājā śṛṇumas tāvat /

King. I hear you.

5.21a3

śaku tatkṣaṇe sa me putrakṛtako dīrghāpāṅgo nāma mṛgapotaka upasthitaḥ /

Shakuntala. At that moment the fawn came up, my adopted son. Then you took pity on him and coaxed him. "Let him drink first," you said. But he did not know you, and he would not come to drink water from your hand. But he liked it afterwards, when I held the very same water. Then you smiled and said: "It is true. Every one trusts his own sort. You both belong to the forest."

5.21a4

tvayāyaṃ tāvat prathamaṃ pibatv ity anukampinopacchandita udakena / na punas te 'paricayād hastābhyāsam upagataḥ / paścāt tasminn eva mayā gṛhīte salile 'nena kṛtaḥ praṇayaḥ / tadā tvam itthaṃ prahasito 'si / sarvaḥ sagandheṣu viśvasiti / dvāv apy atrāraṇyakāv iti /

5.21a5_2

rājā evam ādibhir ātmakāryanirvartinīnām anṛtamayavān madhubhir ākṛṣyate viṣayiṇaḥ /

King. It is just such women, selfish, sweet, false, that entice fools.

5.21a6_2

gautamī mahābhāga nārhasy evaṃ mantrayitum / tapovanasaṃvardhito 'nabhijño 'yaṃ janaḥ kaitavasya /

Gautami. You have no right to say that. She grew up in the pious grove. She does not know how to deceive.

5.22b1

rājā tāpasavṛddhe /

King. Old hermit woman,

5.22

strīṇām aśikṣitapaṭutvam amānuṣīṣu
saṃdṛśyate kim uta yāḥ pratibodhavatyaḥ /
prāgantarikṣagamanās tvam apatyajātam
anyair dvijaiḥ parabhṛtāḥ khalu poṣayanti //
śaku (saroṣam+anārya ātmano hṛdayānumānena prekṣase / ka idānīm anyo dharmakañcukapraveśinas tṛṇachannakūpopamasya tavānukṛtiṃ pratipatsyate /

The female's untaught cunning may be seen
In beasts, far more in women selfish-wise;
The cuckoo's eggs are left to hatch and rear
By foster-parents, and away she flies.

Shakuntala (angrily). Wretch! You judge all this by your own false heart. Would any other man do what you have done? To hide behind virtue, like a yawning well covered over with grass!

5.23b1

rājā (ātmagatam) saṃdigdhabuddhim āṃ kurvann akaitava ivāsyāḥ kopo lakṣyate / tathā hy anayā

King (to himself). But her anger is free from coquetry, because she has lived in the forest. See!

[paragraph continues] No, she saw that I was doubtful, and her anger was feigned. Thus

5.23

mayy eva vismaraṇadāruṇacittavṛttau
vṛttaṃ rahaḥ praṇayam apratipadyamāne /
bhedād bhruvoḥ kuṭilayor atilohitākṣyā
bhagnaṃ śarāsanam ivātiruṣā smarasya //
(prakāśam) bhadre prathitaṃ duṣyantasya caritam / tathāpīdaṃ na dṛśyate /
śaku suṣṭhu tāvad atra svacchandacāriṇī kṛtāsmi yāham asya puruvaṃśapratyayena mukhamadhor hṛdayaviṣasya hastābhyāsam upagatā /

When I refused but now
Hard-heartedly, to know
Of love or secret vow,
Her eyes grew red; and so,
Bending her arching brow,
She fiercely snapped Love's bow.

[paragraph continues] (Aloud.) My good girl, Dushyanta's conduct is known to the whole kingdom, but not this action.

Shakuntala. Well, well. I had my way. I trusted a king, and put myself in his hands. He had a honey face and a heart of stone. (She covers her face with her dress and weeps.)

5.24b1

śārṅgarava ittham ātmakṛtaṃ cāpalaṃ dahati /

Sharngarava. Thus does unbridled levity burn.

5.24

ataḥ parīkṣya kartavyaṃ viśeṣāt saṃgataṃ rahaḥ /
ajñātahṛdayeṣv evaṃ vairībhavati sauhṛdam //
rājā ayi bhoḥ kim atrabhavatīpratyayād evāsmān saṃyutadoṣākṣaraiḥ kṣiṇutha /

Be slow to love, but yet more slow
With secret mate;
With those whose hearts we do not know,
Love turns to hate.

King. Why do you trust this girl, and accuse me of an imaginary crime?

5.25b1

śārṅg (sāsūyam) śrutaṃ bhavadbhir adharottaram /

Sharngarava (disdainfully). You have learned your wisdom upside down.

5.25

ā janmanaḥ śāṭhyam aśikṣito yas tasyāpramāṇaṃ vacanaṃ janasya /
parātisaṃdhānam adhīyate yair vidyeti te santu kilāptavācaḥ //
rājā bhoḥ satyavādinn abhyupagataṃ tāvad asmābhir evam / kiṃ punar imām atisaṃdhāya labhyate /
śārṅg vinipātaḥ /
rājā vinipātaḥ pauravaiḥ prārthyata iti na śraddheyam etat /

It would be monstrous to believe
A girl who never lies;
Trust those who study to deceive
And think it very wise.

King. Aha, my candid friend! Suppose I were to admit that I am such a man. What would happen if I deceived the girl?

Sharngarava. Ruin.

King. It is unthinkable that ruin should fall on Puru's line.

5.26b1

śārad śārṅgarava kim uttareṇa / anuṣṭhito guroḥ saṃdeśaḥ / pratinivartāmahe vayam / (rājānaṃ prati)

Sharngarava. Why bandy words? We have fulfilled our Father's bidding. We are ready to return.

5.26

tad eṣā bhavataḥ kāntā tyaja vaināṃ gṛhāṇa vā /
upapannā hi dāreṣu prabhutā sarvatomukhī //
gautami gacchāgrataḥ / (iti prasthitāḥ)
śaku katham anena kitavena vipralabdhāsmi / yūyam api māṃ parityajatha / (ity anupratiṣṭhate)
gautamī (sthitvā) vatsa śārṅgarava anugacchatīyaṃ khalu naḥ karuṇaparidevinī śakuntalā / pratyādeśaparuṣe bhartari kiṃ vā me putrikā karotu /
śārṅg (saroṣaṃ nivṛtya) kiṃ purobhāge svātantryam avalambase / (śakuntalā bhītā vepate)

Leave her or take her, as you will;
She is your wife;
Husbands have power for good or ill
O’er woman's life.

[paragraph continues] Gautami, lead the way. (They start to go.)

Shakuntala. He has deceived me shamelessly. And will you leave me too? (She starts to follow.)

Gautami (turns around and sees her). Sharngarava, my son, Shakuntala is following us, lamenting piteously. What can the poor child do with a husband base enough to reject her?

Sharngarava (turns angrily). You self-willed girl! Do you dare show independence? (SHAKUNTALA shrinks in fear.) Listen.

5.27b1

śārṅg śakutale /

5.27

yadi yathā vadati kṣitipas tathā
tvam asi kiṃ pitur utkulayā tvayā /
atha tu vetsi śuci vratam ātmanaḥ
patikule tava dāsyam api kṣamam //

If you deserve such scorn and blame,
What will your father with your shame?
But if you know your vows are pure,
Obey your husband and endure.

5.27a5

tiṣṭha / sādhayāmo vayam /

[paragraph continues] Remain. We must go.

5.28b1

rājā bhos tapasvin kim atrabhavatīṃ vipralabhase /

King. Hermit, why deceive this woman? Remember:

5.28

kumudāny eva śaśāṅkaḥ savitā bodhayati paṅkajāny eva /
vaśināṃ hi paraparigrahasaṃśleṣaparāṅmukhī vṛttiḥ //
śārṅg yadā tu pūrvavṛttam anyasaṅgād vismṛto bhavāṃs tadā katham adharmabhīruḥ /

Night-blossoms open to the moon,
Day-blossoms to the sun;
A man of honour ever strives
Another's wife to shun.

Sharngarava. O King, suppose you had forgotten your former actions in the midst of distractions. Should you now desert your wife--you who fear to fail in virtue?

5.29b1

rājā bhavantam evātra gurulāghavaṃ pṛcchāmi /

King. I ask you which is the heavier sin:

5.29

mūḍhaḥ syām aham eṣā vā vaden mithyeti saṃśaye /
dāratyāgī bhavāmy āho parastrīsparśapāṃsulaḥ //
purohita (vicārya) yadi tāvad evaṃ kriyatām /
rājā anuśāstu māṃ bhavān /
purohita atrabhavatī tavad āprasavād asmadgṛhe tiṣṭhatu / kuta idam ucyata iti cet / tvaṃ sādhubhir ādiṣṭapūrvaḥ prathamam eva cakravartinaṃ putraṃ janayiṣyasīti / sa cen munidauhitras tallakṣaṇopapanno bhaviṣyati abhinandya śuddhāntam enāṃ praveśayiṣyati / viparyaye tu pitur asyāḥ samīpanayanam avasthitam eva /

Not knowing whether I be mad
Or falsehood be in her,
Shall I desert a faithful wife
Or turn adulterer?

Chaplain (considering). Now if this were done------

King. Instruct me, my teacher.

Chaplain. Let the woman remain in my house until her child is born.

King. Why this?

Chaplain. The chief astrologers have told you that your first child was destined to be an emperor. If the son of the hermit's daughter is born with the imperial birthmarks, then welcome her and introduce her into the palace. Other- wise, she must return to her father.

5.29a5

rājā yathā gurubhyo rocate /

King. It is good advice, my teacher.

5.29a6

purohita vatse anugaccha mām /

Chaplain (rising). Follow me, my daughter.

5.29_2

śaku bhagāti vasudhe dehi me vivaram / (iti rudatī prasthitā / niṣkrāntā saha purodhasā tapasvibhiś ca)

Shakuntala. O mother earth, give me a grave! (Exit weeping, with the chaplain, the hermits, and GAUTAMI. The king, his memory clouded by the curse, ponders on SHAKUNTALA.)

5.29_3

(rājā śāpavyavahitasmṛtiḥ śakuntalāgatam eva cintayati)

5.29_4

(nepathye) āścaryam āścaryam /

Voices behind the scenes. A miracle! A miracle!

5.29a0

rājā (ākarṇya) kiṃ nu khalu syāt /

King (listening). What does this mean? (Enter the chaplain.)

5.29a1

(praviśya) purohita (savismayam) deva adbhutaṃ khalu saṃvṛttam /

Chaplain (in amazement). Your Majesty, a wonderful thing has happened.

5.29a2

rājā kim iva /

King. What?

5.29a3

purohita deva parāvṛtteṣu kaṇvaśiṣyeṣu

Chaplain. When Kanva's pupils had departed,

5.29a4

sā nindanī svāni bhāgyāni bālā bāhūtkṣepaṃ krandituṃ ca pravṛttā /

She tossed her arms, bemoaned her plight,
Accused her crushing fate------

5.29a5_2

rājā kiṃ ca /

King. What then?

5.30b1

purohita

Chaplain.

5.30

strīsaṃsthānaṃ cāpsaras tīrtham ārād utkṣipyaināṃ jyotir ekaṃ jagāma //
(sarve vismayaṃ rūpayanti)
rājā bhagavan prāg api so 'smābhir arthaḥ pratyādiṣṭa eva / kiṃ vṛthā tarkeṇānviṣyate / viśrāmyatu bhavān /
purohita (vilokya) vijayasva (iti niṣkrāntaḥ)
rājā vetravati paryākulo 'smi / śayanabhūmimārgam ādeśaya /

Before our eyes a heavenly light
In woman's form, but shining bright,
Seized her and vanished straight.

(All betray astonishment.)

King. My teacher, we have already settled the matter. Why speculate in vain? Let us seek repose.

Chaplain. Victory to your Majesty. (Exit.)

King. Vetravati, I am bewildered. Conduct me to my apartment.

5.30a5

pratīhārī ita ito devaḥ (iti prasthitaḥ)

Portress. Follow me, your Majesty.

5.31b1

rājā

King (walks about. To himself).

5.31

kāmaṃ pratyādiṣṭāṃ smarāmi na parigrahaṃ munes tanayām /
balavat tu dūyamānaṃ pratyāyayatīva māṃ hṛdayam //

With a hermit-wife I had no part,
All memories evade me;
And yet my sad and stricken heart
Would more than half persuade me.

5.31a6

(iti niṣkrāntāḥ sarve)

(Exeunt omnes.)

5.31a6.p1

pañcamo 'ṅkaḥ /