01.066
Library: Shakuntala concludes narration of her birth to Vishwamitra and Menaka and how Kanwa is her foster father.
Śakuntalā said:
After being addressed in this way by her, Indra gave the command for the constant arrival. Then, at the appointed time, Menaka set forth together with the wind.
Then the beautiful Menakā saw the sage Viśvāmitra, who had purified himself through penance, engaged in deep meditation in the hermitage, and she felt timid.
After greeting, she then played with him in the presence of the sage. The wind blew away her garment, which was as bright as the moon.
The beautiful woman quickly descended to the earth, her garment clinging to her, smiling shyly as if at the wind.
The supreme sage then saw Menakā, who was eager and agitated in her garment, with indescribable age and beauty, exposed at that moment.
Upon seeing her beauty and qualities, the best of the sages was overcome by desire and sought union with her.
He invited her, and she, being blameless, also desired. They both spent a long time in the forest, enjoying themselves as they pleased, as if it were just one day.
The sage fathered Śakuntalā with Menakā on the beautiful slopes of the Himalayas, near the Mālinī river.
Menaka, after leaving the newborn with Mālinī, swiftly returned to Indra's court, having completed her mission.
In the lonely forest, teeming with lions and tigers, the birds saw him lying there and surrounded him from all sides.
The carnivorous creatures in the forest, eager for flesh, did not harm the girl; instead, the birds protected her there, as she was the daughter of Menaka.
I went to touch her and saw her lying in a lonely forest wilderness surrounded by birds. Then, having brought her, I appointed her as my daughter.
The one who creates the body, gives life, and whose food is consumed, these three are considered fathers in the context of determining duty.
In the lonely forest, since she was protected by birds, I named her Śakuntalā.
Thus, gentle one, you should know that Śakuntalā is my daughter. And Śakuntalā, blameless as she is, considers me her father.
When asked about my origin, this was told to the great sage: "Understand me as the daughter of Kanva, O ruler of men."
I consider Kanva as my father, not knowing my own father. Thus, O king, it has been told to you as it happened, as I have heard.
