Part 2: The Sacred Hermitage and Meeting with Shakuntala

Then the king with his followers, having killed thousands of animals, entered another forest with a view to hunting. Attended by a single follower and fatigued with hunger and thirst, he came upon a large desert on the frontiers of the forest. Having crossed this herbless plain, the king came upon another forest full of the retreats of ascetics, beautiful to look at, delightful to the heart and of cool agreeable breezes.

It was full of trees covered with blossoms, the soil overgrown with the softest and greenest grass, extending for many miles around, and echoing with the sweet notes of winged warblers. It resounded with the notes of the male Kokila and of the shrill cicala. It was full of magnificent trees with outstretched branches forming a shady canopy overhead.

The bees hovered over flowery creepers all around. And there were beautiful bowers in every place. There was no tree without fruits, none that had prickles on it, none that had no bees swarming around it. The whole forest resounded with the melody of winged choristers.

Such was the delicious and excellent forest that the great bowman entered. Trees with branches beautified with clusters began to wave gently at the soft breeze and rain their flowers over the monarch's head. The king, beholding innumerable spots covered with bowers of creepers decked with clusters of flowers, from excess of gladness, became very much charmed.

The Hermitage of Rishis

In that forest which was the resort of ever cheerful birds, the monarch saw a delightful and charming retreat of ascetics. There were many trees around it. The sacred fire was burning within it. The king worshipped that unrivalled retreat.

He saw seated in it numerous Yatis, Valakhilyas and other Munis. It was adorned with many chambers containing sacrificial fire. The flowers dropping from the trees had formed a thick carpet spread over the ground.

By it flowed the sacred and transparent Malini with every species of water-fowl playing on its bosom. That stream infused gladness into the hearts of the ascetics who resorted to it for purposes of ablutions.

Arrival of the King

The monarch, laying aside all signs of royalty, entered that excellent Ashrama with but his minister and his priest. The king saw that the Ashrama was like unto the region of Brahman.

Here were bees sweetly humming and there were winged warblers of various species pouring forth their melodies. At particular places that tiger among men heard the chanting of Rik hymns by first-rate Brahmanas according to the just rules of intonation.

Other places again were filled with the harmonious strains of Saman hymns sung by vow-observing Rishis. The retreat resounded with sacred sounds and divine atmosphere.

The First Meeting with Shakuntala

Entering quite alone he saw not the Rishi Kanwa of rigid vows. Not seeing the Rishi and finding that the abode was empty, he called loudly, saying, “What ho, who is here?”

Hearing the sound of his voice, there came out of the Rishi's abode a maiden beautiful as Sri herself but dressed as an ascetic's daughter.

The black-eyed fair one, as she saw king Duhshanta, bade him welcome and received him duly. Offering him a seat, water, and respect, she enquired about his well-being.

The king, beholding her beauty, asked, “Who are you? Whose daughter are you, O beautiful one? Why have you come into the woods?”

Thus addressed by the monarch, the maiden smilingly replied, “O Duhshanta, I am the daughter of the virtuous and illustrious ascetic Kanwa.”

The Secret of Her Birth

Duhshanta, hearing this, was surprised and said, “The great Rishi Kanwa is known for his celibacy. How then are you his daughter?”

Shakuntala then narrated the story of her birth — the tale of Viswamitra and Menaka, the divine Apsara sent by Indra to disturb the sage's penance.

She explained how she was born near the river Malini and protected by birds (Sakuntas), and thus named Shakuntala.