The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1 ADI PARVA SECTION LXXII (Sambhava Parva continued)

 

 The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

SECTION LXXII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

Kanwa continued, 'And Sakra, thus addressed by her, then commanded him

who could approach every place (viz., the god of the wind) to be present

with Menaka at the time she would be before the Rishi. And the timid and

beautiful Menaka then entered the retreat and saw there Viswamitra who

had burnt, by his penances, all his sins, and was engaged still in

ascetic penances. And saluting the Rishi, she then began to sport before

him. And just at that time Marut robbed her of her garments that were

white as the Moon. And she thereupon ran, as if in great bashfulness, to

catch hold of her attire, and as if she was exceedingly annoyed with

Marut. And she did all this before the very eyes of Viswamitra who was

endued with energy like that of fire. And Viswamitra saw her in that

attitude. And beholding her divested of her robes, he saw that she was of

faultless feature. And that best of Munis saw that she was exceedingly

handsome, with no marks of age on her person. And beholding her beauty

and accomplishments that bull amongst Rishis was possessed with lust and

made a sign that he desired her companionship. And he invited her

accordingly, and she also of faultless features expressed her acceptance

of the invitation. And they then passed a long time there in each other's

company. And sporting with each other, just as they pleased, for a long

time as if it were only a single day, the Rishi begat on Menaka a

daughter named Sakuntala. And Menaka (as her conception advanced) went to

the banks of the river Malini coursing along a valley of the charming

mountains of Himavat. And there she gave birth to that daughter. And she

left the new-born infant on the bank of that river and went away. And

beholding the new-born infant lying in that forest destitute of human

beings but abounding with lions and tigers, a number of vultures sat

around to protect it from harm. No Rakshasas or carnivorous animals took

its life. Those vultures protected the daughter of Menaka. I went there

to perform my ablution and beheld the infant lying in the solitude of the

wilderness surrounded by vultures. Bringing her hither I have made her my

daughter. Indeed, the maker of the body, the protector of life, the giver

of food, are all three, fathers in their order, according to the

scriptures. And because she was surrounded in the solitude of the

wilderness, by Sakuntas (birds), therefore, hath she been named by me

Sakuntala (bird-protected). O Brahman, learn that it is thus that

Sakuntala hath become my daughter. And the faultless Sakuntala also

regards me as her father.'

"This is what my father had said unto the Rishi, having been asked by

him. O king of men, it is thus that thou must know I am the daughter of

Kanwa. And not knowing my real father, I regard Kanwa as my father. Thus

have I told thee, O king, all that hath been heard by me regarding my

birth!'"