The Recognition of Śakuntalā 6

6.1b1

(tataḥ praviśati nāgarikaḥ śyālaḥ paścād baddhaṃ puruṣam ādāya rakṣiṇau ca)

(Enter the chief of police, two policemen, and a man with his hands bound behind his back.)

6.1b2

rakṣiṇau (puruṣaṃ tāḍaitvā) are kumbhīraka kathaya kutra tvayaitan maṇibandhanotkīrṇanāmadheyaṃ rājakīyam aṅgulīyakaṃ samāsāditam /

The two policemen (striking the man). Now, pickpocket, tell us where you found this ring. It is the king's ring, with letters engraved on it, and it has a magnificent great gem.

6.1b3

puruṣaḥ (bhītināṭitakena) prasīdantu bhāvamiśrāḥ / nāham īdṛśakarmakārī /

Fisherman (showing fright). Be merciful, kind gentlemen. I am not guilty of such a crime.

6.1b4

prathamaḥ kiṃ śobhano brāhmaṇa iti kṛtvā (kalayitvā) rājñā pratigraho dattaḥ /

First policeman. No, I suppose the king thought you were a pious Brahman, and made you a present of it.

6.1b5

puruṣaḥ śṛṇutedānīm / ahaṃ śakrāvatārābhyantaravāsī dhīvaraḥ /

Fisherman. Listen, please. I am a fisherman, and I live on the Ganges, at the spot where Indra came down.

6.1b6

pāṭaccara kim asmābhir jātiḥ pṛṣṭā /

Second policeman. You thief, we didn't ask for your address or your social position.

6.1b7

śyālaḥ sūcaka kathayatu sarvam anukrameṇa / mainam antarā pratibadhnītam /

Chief. Let him tell a straight story, Suchaka. Don't interrupt.

6.1b8

ubhau yad āvutta ājñāpayati / kathaya /

The two policemen. Yes, chief. Talk, man, talk.

6.1b9

puruṣaḥ ahaṃ jālodgālādibhir matsyabandhanopāyaiḥ kuṭumbabharaṇaṃ karomi /

Fisherman. I support my family with things you catch fish with--nets, you know, and hooks, and things.

6.1b10

śyālaḥ (virahasya) viśuddha idānīm ājīvaḥ /

Chief (laughing). You have a sweet trade.

6.1b1_2

puruṣaḥ bhartaḥ maivaṃ bhaṇa /

Fisherman. Don't say that, master.

6.1

sahajaṃ kila yad vininditaṃ na khalu tat karma vivarjanīyam /
paśumāraṇakarmadāruṇo 'nukampāmṛdur eva śrotriyaḥ //
śyālaḥ tatas tataḥ /
puruṣaḥ ekasmin divase khaṇḍaśo rohitamatsyo mayā kalpitaḥ /
yāvat tasyodarābhyantare prekṣe tāvad idaṃ ratnabhāsuram aṅgulīyakaṃ dṛṣṭam /
paścād aham asya vikrayāya darśayan gṛhīto bhāvamiśraiḥ /
KSak_6.1a5 mārayata vā muñcata vā / ayam asyāgamavṛttāntaḥ /

You can't give up a lowdown trade
That your ancestors began;
A butcher butchers things, and yet
He's the tenderest-hearted man.

Chief. Go on. Go on.

Fisherman. Well, one day I was cutting up a carp. In its maw I see this ring with the magnificent great gem. And then I was just trying to sell it here when you kind gentlemen grabbed me. That is the only way I got it. Now kill me, or find fault with me.

6.1a6

śyālaḥ jānuka visragandhī godhādī matsyabandha eva niḥsaṃśayam /

Chief (smelling the ring). There is no doubt about it, Januka. It has been in a fish's maw. It has the real perfume of raw meat. Now we have to find out how he got it. We must go to the palace.

6.1_2

aṅgulīyakadarśanam asya vimarśayitavyam / rājakulam eva gacchāmaḥ /

6.1_3

rakṣiṇau tathā / gaccha are granthibhedaka / (sarve parikrāmanti)

The two policemen (to the fisherman). Move on, you cutpurse, move on. (They walk about.)

6.1_4

śyālaḥ sūcaka imaṃ gopuradvāre 'pramattau pratipālayataṃ yāvad idam aṅgulīyakaṃ yathāgamanaṃ bhartre nivedya tataḥ śāsanaṃ pratīṣya niṣkrāmāmi /

Chief. Suchaka, wait here at the big gate until I come out of the palace. And don't get careless.

6.1a0

ubhau praviśatv āvuttaḥ svāmiprasādāya / (iti niṣkrāntaḥ śyālaḥ)

The two policemen. Go in, chief. I hope the king will be nice to you.

Chief. Good-bye. (Exit.)

6.1a1

prathamaḥ jānuka cirāyate khalv āvuttaḥ /

Suchaka. Januka, the chief is taking his time.

6.1a2

dvitīyaḥ nanv avasaropasarpaṇīyā rājānaḥ /

Januka. You can't just drop in on a king.

6.1a3

prathamaḥ jānuka sphurato mama hastāv asya vadhasya sumanasaḥ pinaddhum / (iti puruṣaṃ nirdiśati)

Suchaka. Januka, my fingers are itching (indicating the fisherman) to kill this cutpurse.

6.1a4

puruṣaḥ nārhati bhāvo 'kāraṇamāraṇo bhavitum /

Fisherman. Don't kill a man without any reason, master.

6.1a5

dvitīyaḥ (vilokya) eṣa nau svāmī patrahasto rājaśāsanaṃ pratīṣyeto+mukho dṛśyate / gṛdhrabalir bhaviṣyasi śuno mukhaṃ vā drakṣyasi / (praviśya)

Januka (looking ahead). There is the chief, with a written order from the king. (To the fisherman.) Now you will see your family, or else you will feed the crows and jackals. (Enter the chief.)

6.1a6_2

śyālaḥ sūcaka mucyatām eṣa jālopajīvī / upapanna khalv asyāṅgulīyakasyāgamaḥ /

Chief. Quick! Quick! (He breaks off.)

Fisherman. Oh, oh! I'm a dead man. (He shows dejection.)

Chief. Release him, you. Release the fishnet fellow. It is all right, his getting the ring. Our king told me so himself.

6.1a7

sūcakaḥ yathāvutto bhaṇati / eṣa yamasadanaṃ praviśya pratinivṛttaḥ / (iti puruṣaṃ parimuktabandhanaṃ karoti)

Suchaka. All right, chief. He is a dead man come back to life. (He releases the fisherman.)

6.1a8

puruṣaḥ (śyālaṃ praṇamya) bhartaḥ atha kīdṛśo ma ājīvaḥ /

Fisherman (bowing low to the chief). Master, I owe you my life. (He falls at his feet.)

6.1a9

eṣa bhartrāṅgulīyakamūlyasaṃmitaḥ prasādo 'pi dāpitaḥ / (iti puruṣāya svaṃ prayacchati)

Chief. Get up, get up! Here is a reward that the king was kind enough to give you. It is worth as much as the ring. Take it. (He hands the fisherman a bracelet.)

6.1a0_2

puruṣaḥ (sapraṇāmaṃ pratigṛhya) bhartaḥ anugṛhīto 'smi /

Fisherman (joyfully taking it). Much obliged.

6.1a1_2

sūcakaḥ eṣa nāmānugraho yac chūlād avatārya hastiskandhe pratiṣṭhāpitaḥ /

Januka. He is much obliged to the king. Just as if he had been taken from the stake and put on an elephant's back.

6.1a2_2

jānuka āvutt pāritoṣikaṃ kathayati tenāṅgulīyakena bhartuḥ saṃmatena bhavitavyam iti /

Suchaka. Chief, the reward shows that the king thought a lot of the ring. The gem must be worth something.

6.1a3_2

śyālaḥ na tasmin mahāarhaṃ ratnaṃ bhartur bahumatam iti tarkayāmi /

Chief. No, it wasn't the fine gem that pleased the king. It was this way.

The two policemen. Well?

6.1a4_2

tasya darśanena bhartrābhimato janaḥ smṛtaḥ / muhūrtaṃ prakṛtigambhīro 'pi paryaśrunayana āsīt /

Chief. I think, when the king saw it, he remembered somebody he loves. You know how dignified he is usually. But as soon as he saw it, he broke down for a moment.

6.1a5_2

sūcakaḥ sevitaṃ nāmāvuttena /

Suchaka. You have done the king a good turn, chief.

6.1a6_3

jānuka nanu bhaṇa / asya kṛte mātsyikabhartur iti / (iti puruṣam asūyayā paśyati)

Januka. All for the sake of this fish-killer, it seems to me. (He looks enviously at the fisherman.)

6.1a7_2

puruṣaḥ bhaṭṭāraka ito 'rdhaṃ yuṣmākaṃ sumanomūlyaṃ bhavatu /

Fisherman. Take half of it, masters, to pay for something to drink.

6.1a8_2

jānuka etāvad yujyate /

Januka. Fisherman, you are the biggest and best friend I've got. The first thing we want, is all the brandy we can hold. Let's go where they keep it. (Exeunt omnes.)

6.1a9_2

śyālaḥ dhīvara mahattaras tvaṃ priyavayasyaka idānīṃ me saṃvṛttaḥ / kādambarīsākṣikam asmākaṃ prathamasauhṛdam iṣyate / tatśauṇḍikāpaṇam eva gacchāmaḥ /

6.1a0_3

praveśakaḥ / (tataḥ praviśaty ākāśayānena sānumatī nāmāpsarāḥ)

(Enter MISHRAKESHI, flying through the air.)

6.1a1_3

sānumatī nirvartitaṃ mayā paryāyanirvartanīyam apsarastīrthasāṃnidhyaṃ yāvat sāhujanasyābhiṣekakāla iti sāṃpratam asya rājarṣer udantaṃ pratyakṣīkariṣyāmi /
KSak_6.1a2 menakāsaṃbandhena śarīrabhūtā me śakuntalā / tayā ca duhitṛnimittam ādiṣṭapūrvāsmi /

Mishrakeshi. I have taken my turn in waiting upon the nymphs. And now I will see what this good king is doing. Shakuntala is like a second self to me, because she is the daughter of Menaka. And it was she who asked me to do this. (She looks about.) It is the day of the spring festival. But I see no preparations for a celebration at court. I might learn the reason by my power of divination. But I must do as my friend asked me. Good! I will make myself invisible and stand near these girls who take care of the garden. I shall find out that way. (She descends to earth. Enter a maid, gazing at a mango branch, and behind her, a second.)

6.1a3_3

(samantād avalokya) kiṃ nu khalu ṛtūtsave 'pi nirutsavārambham iva rājakulaṃ dṛśyate /
KSak_6.1a4 asti me vibhavaḥ praṇidhānena sarvaṃ parijñātum /

6.1a5_3

kiṃ tu sakhyā ādaro mayā mānaiyitavyaḥ /

6.1a6_4

bhavatu / anayor evodyānapālikayos tiraskariṇīpraticchannā pārśvavartinī bhūtvopalapsye / (iti nāṭyenāvatīrya sthitā) (tataḥ praviśati cūtāṅkuram avalokayantī ceṭī / aparāca pṛṣṭhatas tasyāḥ)

6.2b1

prathamā

First maid.

6.2

ātāṃraharitapāṇḍura jīvitasarvaṃ vasantamāsasya (yoḥ) /
dṛṣṭo 'si cūtakoraka ṛtumaṅgala tvāṃ prasādayāmi //

First mango-twig, so pink, so green,
First living breath of spring,
You are sacrificed as soon as seen,
A festival offering.

6.2a7

dvitīyā parabhṛtike kim ekākinī mantrayase /

Second maid. What are you chirping about to yourself, little cuckoo?

6.2a8

prathamā madhukarike cūtakalikāṃ dṛṣṭvonmattā parabhṛtikā bhavati /

First maid. Why, little bee, you know that the cuckoo goes crazy with delight when she sees the mango-blossom.

6.2a9

dvitīyā (saharṣaṃ tvarayopagamya) katham upasthito madhumāsaḥ /

Second maid (joyfully). Oh, has the spring really come?

6.2a0

prathamā madhukarike tavedānīṃ kāla eṣa madavibhramagītānām /

First maid. Yes, little bee. And this is the time when you too buzz about in crazy joy.

6.2a1

dvitīyā sakhi avalambasva māṃ yāvad agrapādasthitā bhūtvā cūtakalikāṃ gṛhītvā kāmadevārcanaṃ karomi /

Second maid. Hold me, dear, while I stand on tiptoe and offer this blossom to Love, the divine.

6.2a2

prathamā yadi mama api khalv ardham arcanaphalasya /

First maid. If I do, you must give me half the reward of the offering.

6.3b1

dvitīyā akathite 'py etat saṃpadyate yata ekam eva nau jīvītaṃ dvidhāsthitaṃ śarīram / (sakhīm avalambya sthitā cūtāṅkuraṃ gṛhṇāti)

Second maid. That goes without saying, dear. We two are one. (She leans on her friend and takes the mango-blossom.) Oh, see! The mango-blossom hasn't opened, but it has broken the sheath, so it is fragrant. (She brings her hands together.) I worship mighty Love,

6.3b2

aye apratibuddho 'pi cūtaprasavo 'tra bandhanabhaṅgasurabhir bhavati (iti kapotahastakaṃ kṛtvā)

6.3

tvam asi mayā cūtāṅkura dattaḥ kāmāya gṛhītadhanuṣe /
pathikajanayuvatilakṣyaḥ pañcābhyadhikaḥ śaro bhava //
(iti cūtāṅkuraṃ kṣipati) (praviśya paṭīkṣepeṇa kupitaḥ) /
kañcukī mā tāvad anātmajñe / devena pratiṣiddhe vasantotsave tvam āṃrakalikābhaṅgaṃ kim ārabhase /
ubhe (bhīte) prasīdatv āryaḥ / agṛhītārthe āvām /

O mango-twig I give to Love
As arrow for his bow,
Most sovereign of his arrows five,
Strike maiden-targets low.

(She throws the twig. Enter the chamberlain.)

Chamberlain (angrily). Stop, silly girl. The king has strictly forbidden the spring festival. Do you dare pluck the mango-blossoms?

The two maids (frightened). Forgive us, sir. We did not know.

6.4b1

kañcukī na kila śrutaṃ yuvābhyāṃ yad vāsantikais tarubhir api devasya śāsanaṃ pramāṇīkṛtaṃ tadāśrayibhiḥ patribhiś ca / tathā hi

Chamberlain. What! You have not heard the king's command, which is obeyed even by the trees of spring and the creatures that dwell in them. See!

6.4

cūtānāṃ ciranirgatā api kalikā badhnāti na svaṃ rajaḥ
saṃnaddhaṃ yad api sthitaṃ kurabakaṃ tat korakāvasthayā /
kaṇṭheṣu skhalitaṃ gate 'pi śiśire puṃskokilānāṃ rutam
śaṅke saṃharati smaro 'pi cakitas tūṇārdhakṛṣṭaṃ śaram //
sanumatī nāsti saṃdehaḥ / mahāprabhāvo rājarṣiḥ /

The mango branches are in bloom,
Yet pollen does not form;
The cuckoo's song sticks in his throat,
Although the days are warm; The amaranth-bud is formed, and yet
Its power of growth is gone;
The love-god timidly puts by
The arrow he has drawn.

Mishrakeshi. There is no doubt of it. This good king has wonderful power.

6.4a5

prathamā ārya kati divasāny āvayor mitrāvasunā rāṣṭriyeṇa bhaṭṭinīpādamūlaṃ preṣitayoḥ / atra ca nau pramadavanasya pālanakarma samarpitam / tadāgantukatayāśrutapūrva āvābhyām eṣa vṛttāntaḥ /

First maid. A few days ago, sir, we were sent to his Majesty by his brother-in-law Mitravasu to decorate the garden. That is why we have heard nothing of this affair.

6.4a6

kañcukī bhavatu / na punar evaṃ pravartitavyam /

Chamberlain. You must not do so again.

6.4_2

ubhe ārya kautūhalaṃ nau / yady anena janena śrotavyaṃ kathayatv āryaḥ kiṃ nimittaṃ bhartrā vasantotsavaḥ pratiṣiddhaḥ /

The two maids. But we are curious. If we girls may know about it, pray tell us, sir. Why did his Majesty forbid the spring festival?

6.4_3

sānumatī utsavapriyāḥ khalu manuṣyāḥ / guruṇā kāraṇena bhavitavyam /

Mishrakeshi. Kings are fond of celebrations. There must be some good reason.

6.4_4

kañcukī bahulībhūtam etat kiṃ na kathyate / kim atrabhavatyo karṇapathaṃ nāyātaṃ śakuntalāpratyādeśakaulīnam /

Chamberlain (to himself). It is in everybody's mouth. Why should I not tell it? (Aloud.) Have you heard the gossip concerning Shakuntala's rejection?

6.4a0

ubhe śrutaṃ rāṣṭriyamukhād yāvad aṅgulīyakadarśanam /

The two maids. Yes, sir. The king's brother-in-law told us, up to the point where the ring was recovered.

6.5b1

kañcukī tena hy alpaṃ kathayitavyam /

Chamberlain. There is little more to tell. When his Majesty saw the ring, he remembered that he had indeed contracted a secret marriage with Shakuntala, and had rejected her under a delusion. And then he fell a prey to remorse.

6.5b2

yadaiva khalu svāṅgulīyakadarśanād anusmṛtaṃ devena satyamūḍhapūrvā me tatrabhavatī rahasi śakuntalā mohāt pratyādiṣṭeti tadāprabhṛty eva paścāt tāpam upagato devaḥ / tathā hi

6.5

ramyaṃ dveṣṭi yathā purā prakṛtibhir na pratyahaṃ sevyate
śayyāprāntavivartanair vigamayaty unnidra eva kṣapāḥ /
dākṣiṇyena dadāti vācam ucitām antaḥpurebhyo yadā gotreṣu
skhalitas tadā bhavati ca vrīḍāvilakṣaś ciram //
sānumatī priyaṃ me /
kañcukī asmāt prabhavato vaimanasyād utsavaḥ pratyākhyātaḥ /
ubhe yujyate / (nepathye)
etu etu bhavān /

He hates the things he loved; he intermits
The daily audience, nor in judgment sits;
Spends sleepless nights in tossing on his bed;
At times, when he by courtesy is led
To address a lady, speaks another name,
Then stands for minutes, sunk in helpless shame.

Mishrakeshi. I am glad to hear it.

Chamberlain. His Majesty's sorrow has forbidden the festival.

The two maids. It is only right.

A voice behind the scenes. Follow me.

6.5a5

kañcukī (karṇaṃ dattvā) aye / ita evābhivartate devaḥ / svakarmānuṣṭhīyatām /

Chamberlain (listening). Ah, his Majesty approaches. Go, and attend to your duties. (Exeunt the two maids. Enter the king, wearing a dress indicative of remorse; the clown, and the portress.)

6.5a6

ubhe tathā /

6.5_2

(tataḥ praviśati paścāttāpasadṛśaveṣo rājā vidūṣakaḥ pratīhārī ca /

6.5_3

kañcukī (rājānam avalokya) aho sarvāsv avasthāsu ramaṇīyatvam ākṛtiviśeṣāṇām / evam utsuko 'pi priyadarśane devaḥ / tathā hi

Chamberlain (observing the king). A beautiful figure charms in whatever state. Thus, his Majesty is pleasing even in his sorrow. For

6.6

pratyādiṣṭaviśeṣamaṇḍanavidhir vāmaprakoṣṭhārpitam
bibhratkāñcanam ekam eva valayaṃ śvāsoparaktādharaḥ /
cintājāgaraṇapratāntanayanas tejoguṇād ātmanaḥ
saṃskārollikhito mahāmaṇir iva kṣīṇo 'pi nālakṣyate //
sānumatī (rājānaṃ dṛṣṭvā) sthāne khalu pratyādeśavimānitā apy asya kṛte śakuntalā klāmyati /

All ornament is laid aside; he wears
One golden bracelet on his wasted arm;
His lip is scorched by sighs; and sleepless cares
Redden his eyes. Yet all can work no harm
On that magnificent beauty, wasting, but
Gaining in brilliance, like a diamond cut.

Mishrakeshi (observing the king). No wonder Shakuntala pines for him, even though he dishonoured her by his rejection of her.

6.7b1

rājā (dhyānamandaṃ parikramya)

King (walks about slowly, sunk in thought).

6.7

prathamaṃ sāraṅgākṣyā priyayā pratibodhyamānam api suptam /
anuśayaduḥkhāya idaṃ hatahṛdayaṃ saṃprati vibuddham //
sānumatī nanv īdeśāni tapasvinyā bhāgadheyāni /
vidūṣaka (apavārya) laṅghita eṣa bhūyo 'pi śakuntalāvyādhinā / na jāne kathaṃ cikitsitavyo bhaviṣyatīti /
kañcukī (upagamya) jayatu jayatu devaḥ / mahārāja pratyavekṣitāḥ pramadavanabhūmayaḥ yathākāmam adhyāstāṃ vinodasthānāni mahārājaḥ /
rājā vetravati madvacanād amātyam āryapiśunaṃ brūhi / ciraprabodhān na saṃbhāvitam asmābhir adya dharmāsanam adhyāsitum / yat pratyavekṣitaṃ paurakāryam āryeṇa tat patram āropya dīyatām iti /

Alas! My smitten heart, that once lay sleeping,
Heard in its dreams my fawn-eyed love's laments,
And wakened now, awakens but to weeping,
To bitter grief, and tears of penitence.

Mishrakeshi. That is the poor girl's fate.

Clown (to himself). He has got his Shakuntala-sickness again. I wish I knew how to cure him.

Chamberlain (advancing). Victory to your Majesty. I have examined the garden. Your Majesty may visit its retreats.

King. Vetravati, tell the minister Pishuna in my name that a sleepless night prevents me from mounting the throne of judgment. He is to investigate the citizens' business and send me a memorandum.

6.7a5

pratīhārī yad deva ājñāpayati / (iti niṣkrāntā)

6.7a6

rājā vātāyana tvam api svaṃ niyogam aśūnyaṃ kuru /

6.7_2

kañcukī yad ājñāpayati devaḥ / (iti niṣkrāntaḥ)

6.7_3

vidūṣakaḥ kṛtaṃ bhavatā nirmakṣikam / sāṃprataṃ śiśirātapachedaramaṇīye 'smin pramadavanoddeśa ātmānaṃ ramayiṣyasi /

6.8b1

rājā vayasya yad ucyate randhropanipātino 'narthā iti tad vyabhicāri vacaḥ / kutaḥ

6.8

munisutāpraṇayasmṛtirodhinā
mama ca muktam idaṃ tamasā manaḥ /
manasijena sakhe prahariṣyatā
dhanuṣi cūtaśaraś ca niveśitaḥ //
vidūṣaka tiṣṭha tāvat / anena daṇḍakakāṣṭhena kandarpabāṇaṃ nāśayiṣyāmi / (iti daṇḍakāṣṭham udyamya cūtāṅkuraṃ pātayitum icchati)

No sooner did the darkness lift
That clouded memory's power,
Than the god of love prepared his bow
And shot the mango-flower. No sooner did the ring recall
My banished maiden dear,
No sooner do I vainly weep
For her, than spring is here.

Clown. Wait a minute, man. I will destroy Love's arrow with my stick. (He raises his stick and strikes at the mango branch.)

6.8a0

rājā (sasmitam) bhavatu / dṛṣṭaṃ brahmavarcasam / sakhe kvopaviṣṭaḥ priyāyāḥ kiṃcid+anukāriṇīṣu latāsu dṛṣṭiṃ vilobhayāmi /

King (smiling). Enough! I see your pious power. My friend, where shall I sit now to comfort my eyes with the vines? They remind me somehow of her.

6.8a1

viṣūṣaka nanv āsannaparicārikā caturikā bhavatā saṃdiṣṭā / mādhavīmaṇḍapa imāṃ velām ativāhayiṣye /

Clown. Well, you told one of the maids, the clever painter, that you would spend this hour in the bower of spring-creepers. And you asked her to bring you there the picture of the lady Shakuntala which you painted on a tablet.

6.8a2

tatra me citraphalakagatāṃ svahastalikhitāṃ tatrabhavatyāḥ śakuntalāyāḥ pratikṛtim ānaya iti /

6.8a3

rājā īdṛśaṃ hṛdayavinodanasthānam / tat tam eva mārgam ādeśaya /

King. It is my only consolation. Lead the way to the bower of spring-creepers.

6.8a4

vidūṣaka ita ito bhavān / (ubhau parikramataḥ / sānumaty anugacchati)

Clown. Follow me. (They walk about. MISHRAKESHI follows.) Here is the bower of spring-creepers, with its jewelled benches. Its loneliness seems to bid you a silent welcome. Let us go in and sit down. (They do so.)

6.8a5

vidūṣaka eṣa maṇiśilāpaṭṭakasanātho mādhavīmaṇḍapa upahāraramaṇīyatayā niḥsaṃśayaṃ svāgateneva nau pratīcchati / tat praviśya niṣīdatu bhavān / (ubhau praveśaṃ kṛtvopaviṣṭau)

6.8a6

sānumatī latāsaṃśritā drakṣyāmi tāvat sakhyāḥ pratikṛtam / tatas tasyai bhartur bahumukham anurāgaṃ nivedayiṣyāmi / (iti tathā kṛtvā sthitā)

Mishrakeshi. I will hide among the vines and see the dear girl's picture. Then I shall be able to tell her how deep her husband's love is. (She hides.)

6.8a7

rājā sakhe sarvam idānīṃ smarāmi śakuntalāyāḥ prathamavṛttāntam / kathitavān asmi bhavate ca /

King (sighing). I remember it all now, my friend. I told you how I first met Shakuntala. It is true, you were not with me when I rejected her. But I had told you of her at the first. Had you forgotten, as I did?

6.8a8

sa bhavān pratyādeśavelāyāṃ matsamīpagato nāsīt /

6.8a9

pūrvam api na tvayā kadācit saṃkīrtitaṃ tatrabhavatyā nāma / kaccid aham iva vismṛtavān asi tvam /

6.8a0_2

vidūṣaka na vismarāmi / kiṃ tu sarvaṃ kathayitvāvasāne punas tvayā parihāsavijalpa eṣa na bhūtārtha ity ākhyātam /

Clown. No, I didn't forget. But when you had told the whole story, you said it was a joke and there was nothing in it. And I was fool enough to believe you. No, this is the work of fate.

6.8a1_2

mayā api mṛtpiṇḍabuddhinā tathaiva gṛhītam / athavā bhavitavyatā khalu balavatī /

6.8a2_2

sānumatī evaṃ nv idam /

Mishrakeshi. It must be.

6.8a3_2

rājā (dhyātvā) sakhe trāyasva mām /

King (after meditating a moment). Help me, my friend.

6.8a4_2

vidūṣaka bhoḥ kim etat / anupapannaṃ khalv īdṛśaṃ tvayi / kadā api satpuruṣāḥ śokavāstavyā na bhavanti / nanu pravāte 'pi niṣkampā girayaḥ /

Clown. But, man, this isn't right at all. A good man never lets grief get the upper hand. The mountains are calm even in a tempest.

6.9b1

rājā vayasya nirākaraṇaviklavāyāḥ priyāyāḥ samavasthām anusmṛtya balavadaśaraṇo 'smi / sā hi

King. My friend, I am quite forlorn. I keep thinking of her pitiful state when I rejected her. Thus:

6.9

itaḥ pratyādeśāt svajanam anugantuṃ vyavasitā
sthitā tiṣṭha ity uccair vadati guruśiṣye gurusame /
punar dṛṣṭiṃ bāṣpaprasarakaluṣām arpitavatī
mayi krūre yat tat saviṣam iva śalyaṃ dahati mām //
sānumatī aho / īdṛśī svakāryaparatā / asya saṃtāpenāhaṃ rame /
vidūṣaka bhoḥ asti me tarkaḥ kenāpi tatrabhavatyākāśacāriṇī nīteti /
rājā kaḥ patidevatām anyaḥ parāmarṣṭum utsaheta / menakā kila sakhyās te janmapratiṣṭheti śrutavān asmi / tatsahacāriṇībhiḥ sakhī te hṛteti me hṛdayam āśaṅkate /
sānumatī saṃmohaḥ khalu vismayanīyo na pratibodhaḥ /

When I denied her, then she tried
To join her people. "Stay," one cried,
Her father's representative.
She stopped, she turned, she could but give
A tear-dimmed glance to heartless me--
That arrow burns me poisonously.

Mishrakeshi. How his fault distresses him!

Clown. Well, I don't doubt it was some heavenly being that carried her away.

King. Who else would dare to touch a faithful wife? Her friends told me that Menaka was her mother. My heart persuades me that it was she, or companions of hers, who carried Shakuntala away.

Mishrakeshi. His madness was wonderful, not his awakening reason.

6.9a5

vidūṣaka yady evam asti khalu samāgamaḥ kālena tatrabhavatyā /

Clown. But in that case, you ought to take heart. You will meet her again.

6.9a6

rājā katham iva /

King. How so?

6.9_2

vidūṣaka na khalu mātāpitarau bhartṛviyogaduḥkhitāṃ duhitaraṃ ciraṃ draṣṭuṃ pārayataḥ /

Clown. Why, a mother or a father cannot long bear to see a daughter separated from her husband.

6.10b1

rājā vayasya /

King. My friend,

6.10

svapno nu māyā nu matibhramo nu
kliṣṭaṃ nu tāvat phalam eva puṇyam /
asaṃnivṛttyai tad atītam ete
manorathā nāma taṭaprapātāḥ //
vidūṣaka maivam / nanv+aṅgulīyakam eva nidarśanam avaśyaṃ bhāvyacintanīyaḥ samāgamo bhavatīti /

And was it phantom, madness, dream,
Or fatal retribution stern?
My hopes fell down a precipice
And never, never will return.

Clown. Don't talk that way. Why, the ring shows that incredible meetings do happen.

6.11b1

rājā (aṅgulīyakaṃ vilokya) aye idaṃ tāvad asulabhasthānabhraṃśi śocanīyam /

King (looking at the ring). This ring deserves pity. It has fallen from a heaven hard to earn.

6.11

tava sucaritam aṅgulīya nūnaṃ
pratanu mameva vibhāvyate phalena /
aruṇanakhamanoharāsu tasyāś
cyutam asi labdhapadaṃ yad aṅgulīṣu //
sānumatī yady anyahastagataṃ bhavet satyam eva śocanīyaṃ bhavet /
vidūṣaka bhoḥ iyaṃ nāmamudrā kenodghātena tatrabhavatyā hastābhyāsaṃ prāpitā /
sānumatī mama api kautūhalenākārita eṣaḥ /
rājā śrūyatām / svanagarāya prasthitaṃ māṃ priyā sabāṣpam āha kiyaccireṇāryaputraḥ pratipattiṃ dāsyatīti /

Your virtue, ring, like mine,
Is proved to be but small;
Her pink-nailed finger sweet
You clasped. How could you fall?

Mishrakeshi. If it were worn on any other hand, it would deserve pity. My dear girl, you are far away. I am the only one to hear these delightful words.

Clown. Tell me how you put the ring on her finger.

Mishrakeshi. He speaks as if prompted by my curiosity.

King. Listen, my friend. When I left the pious grove for the city, my darling wept and said: "But how long will you remember us, dear?"

6.11a5

vidūṣaka tatas tataḥ /

Clown. And then you said------

6.12b1

rājā paścād imāṃ mudrāṃ tadaṅgulau niveśayatā mayā pratyabhihitā /

King. Then I put this engraved ring on her finger, and said to her-------

6.12

ekaikam atra divase divase madīyaṃ
nāmākṣaraṃ gaṇaya gacchasi yāvad antam /
tāvat priye madavarodhagṛhapraveśaṃ
netā janas tava samīpam upaiṣyatīti //

Count every day one letter of my name;
Before you reach the end, dear,
Will come to lead you to my palace halls
A guide whom I shall send, dear.

6.12a6

tac ca dāruṇātmanā mayā mohān nānuṣṭhitam /

[paragraph continues] Then, through my madness, it fell out cruelly.

6.12_2

sānumatī ramaṇīyaḥ khalv avadhir vidhinā visaṃvāditaḥ /

Mishrakeshi. It was too charming an agreement to be frustrated by fate.

6.12_3

vidūṣaka atha kathaṃ dhīvarakalpitasya rohitamatsyasyodarābhyantara āsīt /

Clown. But how did it get into a carp's mouth, as if it had been a fish-hook?

6.12_4

rājā śacītīrthaṃ vandamānāyāḥ sakhyās te hastād gaṅgāsrotasi paribhraṣṭam /

King. While she was worshipping the Ganges at Shachitirtha, it fell.

6.12a0

vidūṣaka yujyate /

Clown. I see.

6.12a1

sānumatī ata eva tapasvinyāḥ śakuntalāyā adharmabhīror asya rājarṣeḥ pariṇaye saṃdeha āsīt /

Mishrakeshi. That is why the virtuous king doubted his marriage with poor Shakuntala. Yet such love does not ask for a token. How could it have been?

6.12a2

athavedṛśo 'nurāgo 'bhijñānam apekṣate / katham ivaitat /

6.12a3

rājā upālapsye tāvad idam aṅgulīyakam /

King. Well, I can only reproach this ring.

6.12a4

vidūṣaka (ātmagatam) gṛhīto 'nena panthā unmattānām /

Clown (smiling). And I will reproach this stick of mine. Why are you crooked when I am straight?

6.13b1

rājā kathaṃ nu taṃ bandhurakomalāṅguliṃ

How could you fail to linger
On her soft, tapering finger,
And in the water fall?

6.13

karaṃ vihāyāsi nimagnam ambhasi /
athavā /
acetanaṃ nāma guṇaṃ na lakṣayen
mayaiva kasmād avadhīritā priyā //
vidūṣaka (ātmagatam) kathaṃ bubhukṣayā khāditavyo 'smi /
rājā priye akāraṇaparityāgānuśayataptahṛdayas tāvad anukampyatām ayaṃ janaḥ punardarśanena /
(praviśyāpaṭīkṣepeṇa citraphalakahastā)
caturikā iyaṃ citragatā bhaṭṭinī / (iti citraphalakaṃ darśayati)

[paragraph continues] And yet

Things lifeless know not beauty;
But I--I scorned my duty,
The sweetest task of all.

Clown. But that is no reason why I should starve to death.

King (not heeding). O my darling, my heart burns with repentance because I abandoned you without reason. Take pity on me. Let me see you again. (Enter a maid with a tablet.)

Maid. Your Majesty, here is the picture of our lady. (She produces the tablet.)

6.13a5

vidūṣaka (vilokya) sādhu vayasya / madhurāvasthānadarśanīyo bhāvānupraveśaḥ / skhalatīva me dṛṣṭir nimnonnatapradeśeṣu /

Clown (looking at it). The sketch is full of sweet meaning. My eyes seem to stumble over its uneven surface. What more can I say? I expect to see it come to life, and I feel like speaking to it.

6.13a6

sānumatī aho eṣā rājarṣer nipuṇatā / jāne sakhy agrato me vartata iti /

Mishrakeshi. The king is a clever painter. I seem to see the dear girl before me.

6.14b1

rājā

King. My friend,

6.14

yad yat sādhu na citre syāt kriyate tat tad anyathā /
tathāpi tasyā lāvaṇyaṃ rekhayā kiṃcid anvitam //
sānumatī sadṛśam etat paścāt+tāpaguroḥ snehasyānavalepasya ca /
vidūṣaka bhoḥ idānīṃ tisras tatrabhavatyo dṛśyante / sarvāś ca darśanīyāḥ /
katamātra tatrabhavatī śakuntalā /

What in the picture is not fair,
Is badly done;
Yet something of her beauty there,
I feel, is won.

Mishrakeshi. This is natural, when love is increased by remorse.

Clown. There are three figures in the picture, and they are all beautiful. Which one is the lady Shakuntala?

6.14a0

sānumatī anabhijñaḥ khalv īdṛśasya rūpasya moghadṛṣṭir ayaṃ janaḥ /

Mishrakeshi. The poor fellow never saw her beauty. His eyes are useless, for she never came before them.

6.14a1

rājā tvaṃ tāvat katamāṃ tarkayasi /

King. Which one do you think?

6.14a2

vidūṣaka tarkayāmi yaiṣā śithilabandhanodvāntakusumena keśāntenodbhinnasvedabindunā vadanena viśeṣato 'pasṛtābhyāṃ bāhubhyām avasekasnigdhataruṇapallavasya cūtapādapasya pārśva īṣatpariśrāntevālakṣitā sā śakuntalā / itare sakhyāv iti /

Clown (observing closely). I think it is this one, leaning against the creeper which she has just sprinkled. Her face is hot and the flowers are dropping from her hair; for the ribbon is loosened. Her arms droop like weary branches; she has loosened her girdle, and she seems a little fatigued. This, I think, is the lady Shakuntala, the others are her friends.

6.15b1

rājā nipuṇo bhavān / asty atra me bhāvacihnam /

King. You are good at guessing. Besides, here are proofs of my love.

6.15

svinnāṅguliviniveśo rekhāprānteṣu dṛśyate malinaḥ /
aśru ca kapolapatitaṃ dṛśyam idaṃ varṇikocchvāsāt //
caturike ardhalikhitam etad vinodasthānam / gaccha / vartikāṃ tāvad ānaya /
caturikā ārya mādhavya avalambasva citraphalakaṃ yāvad āgacchāmi /

See where discolorations faint
Of loving handling tell;
And here the swelling of the paint
Shows where my sad tears fell.

[paragraph continues] Chaturika, I have not finished the background. Go, get the brushes.

Maid. Please hold the picture, Madhavya, while I am gone.

6.16b1

rājā (niḥśvasya)

6.16

sākṣāt priyām upagatām apahāya pūrvaṃ citrārpitāṃ punar imāṃ bahu manyamānaḥ /
srotovahāṃ pathi nikāmajalām atītya jātaḥ sakhe praṇayavān mṛgatṛṣṇikāyām //
vidūṣaka (ātmagatam) eṣo 'trabhavān nadīm atikramya mṛgatṛṣṇikāṃ saṃkrāntaḥ / (prakāśam) bhoḥ aparaṃ kim atra lekhitavyam /

Clown. What are you going to add?

6.17b1

rājā śrūyatām

King. Listen, my friend.

6.17

kāryā saikatalīnahaṃsamithunā srotovahā mālinī
pātās tām abhito niṣaṇṇahariṇā gaurīguroḥ pāvanāḥ /
śākhālambitavalkalasya ca taror nirmātum icchāmy adhaḥ
śṛṅge kṛṣṇamṛgasya vāmanayanaṃ kaṇḍūyamānāṃ mṛgīm //
vidūṣaka (ātmagatam) yathāhaṃ paśyāmi pūritavyam anena citraphalakaṃ lambakūrcānāṃ tāpasānāṃ kadambaiḥ /
rājā vayasya anyac ca / śakuntalāyāḥ prasādhanam abhipretam atra vismṛtam asmābhiḥ /
vidūṣaka kim iva /
sānumatī vanavāsasya saukmāryasya vinayasya ca yat sadṛśaṃ bhaviṣyati /

The stream of Malini, and on its sands
The swan-pairs resting; holy foot-hill lands
Of great Himalaya's sacred ranges, where
The yaks are seen; and under trees that bear
Bark hermit-dresses on their branches high,
A doe that on the buck's horn rubs her eye.

Clown (aside). To hear him talk, I should think he was going to fill up the picture with heavy-bearded hermits.

King. And another ornament that Shakuntala loved I have forgotten to paint.

Clown. What?

Mishrakeshi. Something natural for a girl living in the forest.

6.18b1

rājā

King.

6.18

kṛtaṃ na karṇārpitabandhanaṃ sakhe śirīṣam āgaṇḍavilambikesaram /
na vā śaraccandramarīcikomalaṃ mṛṇālasūtraṃ racitaṃ stanāntare //

The siris-blossom, fastened o’er her ear,
Whose stamens brush her cheek;
The lotus-chain like autumn moonlight soft
Upon her bosom meek.

6.18a5

vidūṣaka bhoḥ kiṃ nu tatrabhavatī raktakuvalayapallavaśobhināgrahastena mukham avārya cakitacakiteva sthitā / (sāvadhānaṃ nirūpya dṛṣṭvā)

Clown. But why does she cover her face with fingers lovely as the pink water-lily? She seems frightened. (He looks more closely.) I see. Here is a bold, bad bee. He steals honey, and so he flies to her lotus-face.

6.18a6

āḥ eṣa dāsyāḥ putraḥ kusumarasapāṭaccaras tatrabhavatyā vadanakamalam abhilaṅghate madhukaraḥ /

6.18_2

rājā nanu vāryatām eṣa dhṛṣṭaḥ /

King. Drive him away.

6.18_3

vidūṣaka bhavān evāvinītānāṃ śāsitāsya vāraṇe prabhaviṣyati /

Clown. It is your affair to punish evil-doers.

6.19b1

rājā yujyate / ayi bhoḥ kusumalatāpriyātithe kim atra paripatanakhedam anubhavasi /

King. True. O welcome guest of the flowering vine, why do you waste your time in buzzing here?

6.19

eṣā kusumaniṣaṇṇā tṛṣitā api satī bhavantam anuraktā /
pratipālayati madhukarī na khalu madhu vinā tvayā pibati //
sānumatī adyābhijātaṃ khalv eṣa vāritaḥ /
vidūṣaka pratiṣiddhā api vāmaiṣā jātiḥ /

Your faithful, loving queen,
Perched on a flower, athirst,
Is waiting for you still,
Nor tastes the honey first.

Mishrakeshi. A gentlemanly way to drive him off!

Clown. This kind are obstinate, even when you warn them.

6.20b1

rājā evaṃ bho na me śāsane tiṣṭhasi / śrūyatāṃ tarhi saṃprati /

6.20

akliṣṭabālatarupallavalobhanīyam
pītaṃ mayā sadayam eva ratotsaveṣu /
bimbādharaṃ spṛśasi ced bhramara priyāyās
tvāṃ kārayāmi kamalodarabandhanastham //
vidūṣaka evaṃ tīkṣṇadaṇḍasya kiṃ na bheṣyati / (prahasya / ātmagatam)
eṣa tāvad unmattaḥ / aham apy etasya saṅgenedṛśavarṇa iva saṃvṛttaḥ / (prakāśam)

6.20a5

bhoḥ citraṃ khalv etat /

6.20a6

rājā kathaṃ citram /

6.20_2

sānumatī aham apīdānīm avagatārthā / kiṃ punar yathālikhitānubhāvy eṣaḥ /

6.21b1

rājā vayasya kim idam anuṣṭhitaṃ paurobhāgyam /

6.21

darśanasukham anubhavataḥ sākṣād iva tanmayena hṛdayena /
smṛtikāriṇā tvayā me punar api citrīkṛtā kāntā //
(iti bāṣpaṃ viharati)
sānumatī pūrvāparavirodhy apūrva eṣa virahamārgaḥ /

Mishrakeshi. Fate plays strangely with him.

6.22b1

rājā vayasya katham evam aviśrāntaduḥkham anubhavāmi /

King. My friend, how can I endure a grief that has no respite?

6.22

prajāgarāt khilībhūtas tasyāḥ svapne samāgamaḥ /
bāṣpas tu na dadāty enāṃ draṣṭuṃ citragatām api //
sānumatī sarvathā pramārjitaṃ tvayā pratyādeśaduḥkhaṃ śakuntalāyāḥ / (praviśya)
caturikā jayatu bhartā / vartikākaraṇḍakaṃ gṛhītvetomukhaṃ prasthitāsmi /

I cannot sleep at night
And meet her dreaming;
I cannot see the sketch
While tears are streaming.

Mishrakeshi. My friend, you have indeed atoned--and in her friend's presence--for the pain you caused by rejecting dear Shakuntala. (Enter the maid CHATURIKA.)

Maid. Your Majesty, I was coming back with the box of paint-brushes

6.22a5

rājā kiṃ ca /

King. Well?

6.22a6

caturikā sa me hastād antarā taralikādvitīyayā devyā vasumatyāham evāryaputrasyopaneṣyāmīti sabalātkāraṃ gṛhītaḥ /

Maid. I met Queen Vasumati with the maid Pingalika. And the queen snatched the box from me, saying: "I will take it to the king myself."

6.22_2

vidūṣaka diṣṭyā tvaṃ muktā /

Clown. How did you escape?

6.22_3

caturikā yāvad devyā viṭapalagnam uttarīyaṃ taralikā mocayati tāvan mayā nirvāhita ātmā /

Maid. The queen's dress caught on a vine. And while her maid was setting her free, I excused myself in a hurry.

6.22_4

rājā vayasya upasthitā devī bahumānagarvitā ca / bhavān imāṃ pratikṛtiṃ rakṣatu /

King. My friend, the queen has come because she feels touched in her honour. You had better take care of this picture.

6.22a0

vidūṣaka ātmānam iti bhaṇa / (citraphalakam ādāyotthāya ca) yadi bhavān antaḥpurakūṭavāgurāto mokṣyate tadā māṃ meghapratichande prāsāde śabdāyaya / (iti drutapadaṃ niṣkrāntaḥ)

Clown. "And yourself," you might add. (He takes the picture and rises.) If you get out of the trap alive, call for me at the Cloud Balcony. And I will hide the thing there so that nothing but a pigeon could find it. (Exit on the run.)

6.22a1

sānumatī anyasaṃkrāntahṛdayo 'pi prathamasaṃbhāvanām apekṣate / atiśithilasauhārda idānīm eṣaḥ /

Mishrakeshi. Though his heart is given to another, he is courteous to his early flame. He is a constant friend. (Enter the portress with a document.)

6.22a2

(praviśya patrahastā)

6.22a3

pratīhārī jayatu jayatu devaḥ /

Portress. Victory to your Majesty.

6.22a4

rājā vetravati na khalv antarā dṛṣṭā tvayā devī /

King. Vetravati, did you not meet Queen Vasumati?

6.22a5_2

pratīhārī athakim / patrahastāṃ māṃ prekṣya pratinivṛttā /

Portress. Yes, your Majesty. But she turned back when she saw that I carried a document.

6.22a6_2

rājā kāryajñā kāryoparodhaṃ me pariharati /

King. The queen knows times and seasons. She will not interrupt business.

6.22a7

pratīhārī deva amātyo vijñāpayati / arthajātasya gaṇanābahulatayaikam eva paurakāryam avekṣitaṃ tad devaḥ patrārūḍhaṃ pratyakṣīkarotv iti /

Portress. Your Majesty, the minister sends word that in the press of various business he has attended to only one citizen's suit. This he has reduced to writing for your Majesty's perusal.

6.22a8

rājā itaḥ patraṃ darśaya / (pratihāry upanayati)

King. Give me the document. (The portress does so.)

6.22a9

rājā (anuvācya) katham / samudravyavahārī sārthavāho dhanamitro nāma nauvyasane vipannaḥ / anapatyaś ca kila tapasvī /
KSak_6.22a0 rājagāmī tasyārthasaṃcaya ity etad amātyena likhitam / kaṣṭaṃ khalv anapatyatā /

King (reads). "Be it known to his Majesty. A seafaring merchant named Dhanavriddhi has been lost in a shipwreck. He is childless, and his property, amounting to several millions, reverts to the crown. Will his Majesty take action?" (Sadly.) It is dreadful to be childless. Vetravati, he had great riches. There must be several wives. Let inquiry be made. There may be a wife who is with child.

6.22a1_2

vetravati bahudhanatvād bahupatnīkena tatrabhavatā bhavitavyam /
KSak_6.22a2 vicāryatāṃ yadi kācid āpannasattvā tasya bhāryāsu syāt /

6.22a3_2

pratīhārī deva idānīm eva sāketakasya śreṣṭhino duhitā nirvṛttapuṃsavanā jāyāsya śrūyate /

Portress. We have this moment heard that a merchant's daughter of Saketa is his wife. And she is soon to become a mother.

6.22a4_2

rājā nanu garbhaḥ pitryaṃ riktham arhati / gaccha / evam amātyaṃ brūhi /

King. The child shall receive the inheritance. Go, inform the minister.

6.22a5_3

pratīhārī yad deva ājñāpayati / (iti prasthitā)

Portress. Yes, your Majesty. (She starts to go.)

6.22a6_3

rājā ehi tāvat /

King. Wait a moment.

6.22a7_2

pratīhārī iyam asmi /

Portress (turning back). Yes, your Majesty.

6.23b1

rājā kim anena saṃtatir asti nāstīti /

King. After all, what does it matter whether he have issue or not?

6.23

yena yena viyujyante prajāḥ snigdhena bandhunā /
sa sa pāpād ṛte tāsāṃ duṣyanta iti ghuṣyatām //
pratīhārī evaṃ nāma ghoṣayitavyam /
(niṣkramya / punaḥ praviṣya) kāle praviṣṭam ivābhinanditaṃ devasya śāsanam /
rājā (dīrgham uṣṇaṃ ca niḥśvasya) evaṃ bhoḥ saṃtatichedaniravalambānāṃ kulānāṃ mūlapuruṣāvasāne saṃpadaḥ param upatiṣṭhante / mama apy ante puruvaṃśaśriya eṣa eva vṛttāntaḥ /
pratīhārī pratihatam amaṅgalam /

Let King Dushyanta be proclaimed
To every sad soul kin
That mourns a kinsman loved and lost,
Yet did not plunge in sin.

Portress. The proclamation shall be made. (She goes out and soon returns.) Your Majesty, the royal proclamation was welcomed by the populace as is a timely shower.

King (sighing deeply). Thus, when issue fails, wealth passes, on the death of the head of the family, to a stranger. When I die, it will be so with the glory of Puru's line.

Portress. Heaven avert the omen!

6.23a5

rājā dhin mām upasthitaśreyo 'vamāninam /

King. Alas! I despised the happiness that offered itself to me.

6.23a6

sānumatī asaṃśayaṃ sakhīm eva hṛdaye kṛtvā nindito 'nenātmā /

Mishrakeshi. Without doubt, he has dear Shakuntala in mind when he thus reproaches himself.

6.24b1

rājā

King.

6.24

saṃropite 'py ātmani dharmapatnī tyaktā mayā nāma kulapratiṣṭhā /
kalpiṣyamāṇā mahate phalāya vasuṃdharā kāla ivoptabījā //
sānumatī aparichinnedānīṃ te saṃtatir bhaviṣyati /
caturikā (janāntikam) aye anena sārvavāhavṛttāntena dviguṇodvego bhartā / enam āśvāsayituṃ meghapratichandād āryaṃ mādhavyaṃ gṛhītvāgaccha /
pratīhārī suṣṭhu bhaṇasi / (iti niṣkrāntā)

Could I forsake the virtuous wife
Who held my best, my future life
And cherished it for glorious birth,
As does the seed-receiving earth?

Mishrakeshi. She will not long be forsaken.

Maid (to the portress). Mistress, the minister's report has doubled our lord's remorse. Go to the Cloud Balcony and bring Madhavya to dispel his grief.

Portress. A good suggestion. (Exit.)

6.25b1

rājā aho duṣyantasya saṃśayam ārūḍhāḥ piṇḍabhājaḥ / kutaḥ /

King. Alas! The ancestors of Dushyanta are in a doubtful case.

6.25

asmāt paraṃ bata yathāśruti saṃbhṛtāni
ko naḥ kule nivapanāni niyacchatīti /
nūnaṃ prasūtivikalena mayā prasiktam
dautāśruśeṣam udakaṃ pitaraḥ pibanti //
(iti moham upagataḥ)
caturikā (sasaṃbhramam avalokya) samāśvasitu samāśvasitu bhartā /
sānumatī hā dhig ghā dhik / sati khalu dīpe vyavadhānadoṣeṇaiṣo 'ndhakāradoṣam anubhavati /
aham idānīm eva nirvṛtaṃ karomi /

For I am childless, and they do not know,
When I am gone, what child of theirs will bring
The scriptural oblation; and their tears
Already mingle with my offering.

Mishrakeshi. He is screened from the light, and is in darkness.

(He swoons.)

Maid (in distress). Oh, sir, come to yourself.

6.25a5

athavā śrutaṃ mayā śakuntalāṃ samāśvāsayantyā mahāindrajananyā mukhād yajñabhāgotsukā devā eva tathānuṣṭhāsyanti yathācireṇa dharmapatnīṃ bhartābhinandiṣyatīti /
KSak_6.25a6 tad yuktam etaṃ kālaṃ pratipālayitum / yāvad anena vṛttāntena priyasakhīṃ samāśvāsayāmi /

Mishrakeshi. Shall I make him happy now? No, I heard the mother of the gods consoling Shakuntala. She said that the gods, impatient for the sacrifice, would soon cause him to welcome his true wife. I must delay no longer. I will comfort dear Shakuntala with my tidings. (Exit through the air.)

6.25_2

(nepathye) abrahmaṇyam /

A voice behind the scenes. Help, help!

6.25_3

rājā (pratyāgataḥ / karṇaṃ dattvā) aye mādhavyasya ivārtasvaraḥ / kaḥ ko tra bhoḥ / (praviśya)

King (comes to himself and listens). It sounds as if Madhavya were in distress.

The voice. Help, help!

King. The Brahman's voice seems really changed by fear. Who waits without? (Enter the chamberlain.)

6.25_4

pratīhārī (sasaṃbhramam) paritrāyatāṃ devaḥ saṃśayagataṃ vayasyam /

Chamberlain. Save your friend, O King!

6.25a0

rājā kenāttagandho māṇavakaḥ /

King. From what?

6.25a1

pratīhārī adṛṣṭarūpeṇa kenāpi sattvenātikramya meghapraticchandasya prāsādasyāgrabhūmim ārophitaḥ /

Chamberlain. From great danger.

Chamberlain. On the Cloud Balcony, open to the four winds of heaven------

While he was resting on its height,
Which palace peacocks in their flight
Can hardly reach, he seemed to be
Snatched up--by what, we could not see.

6.26b1

rājā (utthāya) mā tāvat / mama api sattvair abhibhūyante gṛhāḥ / atha vā /

King (rising quickly). My very palace is invaded by evil creatures. To be a king, is to be a disappointed man.

6.26

ahany ahany ātmana eva tāvaj jñātuṃ pramādaskhalitaṃ na śakyam /
prajāsu kaḥ ke pathā prayāti ity aśeṣato veditum asti śaktiḥ //

The moral stumblings of mine own,
The daily slips, are scarcely known;
Who then that rules a kingdom, can
Guide every deed of every man?

p138167

(nepathye) bho vayasya avihā avihā /

6.26a2

rājā (gatibhedena parikrāman) sakhe na bhetavyam / (nepathye)

The voice. Hurry, hurry!

King (hears the voice and quickens his steps). Have no fear, my friend.

6.26a3

(punas tad eva paṭhitvā) kathaṃ na bheṣyāmi / eṣa māṃ ko 'pi pratyavanataśirodharam ikṣum iva tribhaṅgaṃ karomi /

The voice. Have no fear! When something has got me by the back of the neck, and is trying to break my bones like a piece of sugar-cane!

6.26a4

rājā (sadṛṣṭikṣepam) dhanus tāvat / (praviśya śārṅgahastā)

King (looks about). A bow! a bow! (Enter a Greek woman with a bow.)

6.27b1

yavanī bhartaḥ etad hastāvāpasahitaṃ śarāsanam /

Greek woman. A bow and arrows, your Majesty. And here are the finger-guards. (The king takes the bow and arrows.)

6.27b2

(rājā saśaraṃ dhanur ādatte)

6.27b3

(nepathye)

Another voice behind the scenes.

6.27

eṣa tvām abhinavakaṇṭhaśoṇitārthī
śārdūlaḥ paśum iva hanmi ceṣṭamānam /
ārtānāṃ bhayam apanetum āttadhanvā
duṣyantas tava śaraṇaṃ bhavatv idānīm //
rājā (saroṣam) kathaṃ mām evoddiśati / tiṣṭha kuṇapāśana / tvam idānīṃ na bhaviṣyasi / (śārṅgam āropya) vetravati sopānamārgam ādeśaya / (sarve satvaram upasarpanti)
rājā (samantād vilokya) śūnyaṃ khalv idam / (nepathye)
avihā / avihā /aham atrabhavantaṃ paśyāmi / tvaṃ māṃ na paśyasi / biḍālagṛhīto mūṣaka iva nirāśo 'smi jīvite saṃvṛttaḥ /

Writhe, while I drink the red blood flowing clear
And kill you, as a tiger kills a deer;
Let King Dushyanta grasp his bow; but how
Can all his kingly valour save you now?

King (angrily). He scorns me, too! In one moment, miserable demon, you shall die. (Stringing his bow.) Where is the stairway, Parvatayana?

Chamberlain. Here, your Majesty. (All make haste.)

King (looking about). There is no one here.

The Clown's voice. Save me, save me! I see you, if you can't see me. I am a mouse in the claws of the cat. I am done for.

6.28b1

rājā bhos tiraskariṇīgarvita madīyam astraṃ tvāṃ drakṣyati / eṣa tam iṣuṃ saṃdadhe /

King. You are proud of your invisibility. But shall not my arrow see you? Stand still. Do not hope to escape by clinging to my friend.

6.28

yo haniṣyati vadhyaṃ tvāṃ rakṣyaṃ rakṣiṣyati dvijam /
haṃso hi kṣīram ādatte tanmiśrā varjayaty apaḥ //
(ity astraṃ saṃdhatte)

My arrow, flying when the bow is bent,
Shall slay the wretch and spare the innocent;
When milk is mixed with water in a cup,
Swans leave the water, and the milk drink up.

6.28a5

(tataḥ praviśati vidūṣakam utsṛjya mātaliḥ)

(He takes aim. Enter MATALI and the clown.)

6.29b1

mātaliḥ

Matali. O King, as Indra, king of the gods, commands,

6.29

kṛtā śaravyaṃ hariṇā tavāsurāḥ
śarāsanaṃ teṣu vikṛṣyatām idam /
prasādasaumyāni satāṃ suhṛjjane
patanti cakṣūṃṣi na dāruṇāḥ śarāḥ //
rājā (sasaṃbhramam asram upasaṃharan) aye mātaliḥ / svāgataṃ mahāindrasārathe / (praviśya)
vidūṣaka ahaṃ yeneṣṭipaśumāraṃ māritaḥ so 'nena svāgatenābhinadyate /
mātaliḥ (sasmitam) āyuṣmañ śrūyatāṃ yad artham asmi hariṇā bhavatsakāśaṃ preṣitaḥ /
rājā avahito 'smi /

Seek foes among the evil powers alone;
For them your bow should bend;
Not cruel shafts, but glances soft and kind
Should fall upon a friend.

King (hastily withdrawing the arrow). It is Matali. Welcome to the charioteer of heaven's king.

Clown. Well! He came within an inch of butchering me. And you welcome him.

Matali (smiling). Hear, O King, for what purpose Indra sends me to you.

King. I am all attention.

6.29a5

mātaliḥ asti kālanemiprasūtir durjayo nāma dānavagaṇaḥ /

Matali. There is a host of demons who call themselves Invincible--the brood of Kalanemi.

6.29a6

rājā asti / śrutapūrvaṃ mayā nāradāt /

King. So Narada has told me.

6.30b1

mātaliḥ

Matali.

6.30

sakhyus te sa kila śatakrator ajayyas
tasya tvaṃ raṇaśirasi smṛto nihantā /
ucchettuṃ prabhavati yan na saptasaptis
tannaiśaṃ timiram apākaroti candraḥ //
sa bhavān āttaśastra evedānīm aindraratham āruhya vijayāya pratiṣṭhatām /
rājā anugṛhīto 'ham anayā maghavataḥ saṃbhāvanayā / atha mādhavyaṃ prati bhavatā kim evaṃ prayuktam /

Heaven's king is powerless; you shall smite
His foes in battle soon;
Darkness that overcomes the day,
Is scattered by the moon.

[paragraph continues] Take your bow at once, enter my heavenly chariot, and set forth for victory.

King. I am grateful for the honour which Indra shows me. But why did you act thus toward Madhavya?

6.31b1

mātali tad api kathyate / kiṃ nimittād api manaḥsaṃtāpād āyuṣmān mayā viklavo dṛṣṭaḥ / paścātkopayitum āyuṣmantaṃ tathā kṛtavān asmi / kutaḥ /

Matali. I will tell you. I saw that you were overpowered by some inner sorrow, and acted thus to rouse you. For

6.31

jvalati calitendhano 'gnir viprakṛtaḥ pannagaḥ phaṇāṃ kurute /
prāyaḥ svaṃ mahimānaṃ kṣobhāt pratipadyate hi janaḥ //

The spurnèd snake will swell his hood;
Fire blazes when ’tis stirred;
Brave men are roused to fighting mood
By some insulting word.