act 3

SHAKUNTHALAM ACT 3

(ENTERS A STUDENT WITH SOME DARBHA GRASS)
Student: Oh! A great person is this king Dushyantha! No sooner did the king enter the ashram, than all our performaces became free from impediments. What to say of fitting the arrow to the bow; merely by the sound of pulling the string, which sounded like a war-cry of the bow, he drove far away all obstacles.
I shall now hand over these grass bundles to the priests for spreading on the altar. (walks and looking up, speaks to somebody not on the stage} Hi, Priyamvada, to whom are you taking this ushira- root paste and lotus leaves with stalks? (listening) What are you saying? “Shakunthala is not well, because of remaining in the sun for a long time. This is to cool her body.” Then hurry up. She is like his life-breath to Sage Kanva, our family head. I too will send through Gauthami some holy water from the sacrifice. (EXIT)
END OF PROLOGUE
(ENTERS THE KING IN LOVELORN STATE)
King: (sighing) I know well the power of ascetics; and I know that that girl is not free. But my mind is not able to leave her, like water trapped in a low land.
Oh God of Love, all lovers are deceived by you and the Moon, though you look benign.
That your arrows are flowers and that the moon’s rays are cool,
Both appear falseto people like us.
The moon spreads fire with his icy cool beams,
And you make arrows of flowers as strong as thunder-bolt!
(shows lover’s anguish, then angrily) God of love, from where did the flowers you use as weapon get this sharpness of steel? (recalling) Ah! I know.
Surely,even today the fire of Shiva’s anger
Burns inside you, like the fabled Fire in seas.
Or else, Love-god, how can you, reduced to ashes,
Feel so hot to people like us!
Or, It is ok for me that Cupid is troubling my mind day and night, as long as he does it because of that girl with fascinatingly long eyes. (walks listlessly). Where can I relax and rest my tired limbs, now that they have finished their religious rites and I am duly released by them? (sighing) What remedy is there for me, other than seeing my love! I will look for her.
(glancing at the sun) Usually Shakunthala spends this time of day, when the sun is blazing hot, in one of those creeper-enclosed places on the bank of river Malini, along with her friends. It is there I would like to go now. (goes around and displaying the sensation of touch) Ha! How nice and breezy is this place!This breeze, full of droplets from the waves of Malini, and exuding the scent of lotus flowers, is such as can continuously be embraced by one’s love-fever-scorched limbs.(again walks around and looking) She should be in this bower of creepers among the reeds. For, (looking down) I see a freshly made line of footsteps, in the white sand at its entrance, shallow in front, and because of the heavy hips, deeply impressed behind. I shall look awhile through the boughs. (goes forward and looks, then delighted) Ah, bliss to my eyes! The dearest of my heart’s desire is there, lying on a flower-bestrewn bed of stone, attended by her two friends. Good, I’ll listen to what they say in private. (stands looking)
(ENTER SHAKUNTHALA WITH FRIENDS TALKING)
Friends: (fanning lovingly) Dear Shakunthala, does this air from the lotus leaf give some relief?
Shakunthala: Are you fanning me?
(FRIENDS LOOK AT EACH OTHER SADLY)
King: Shkunthala is in deep distress. (pondering) Can this be due to sun’s heat? Or is as in my mind?(longingly obseving) Or no need t o doubt:
With ushira paste applied on breasts, and a lone loose bracelet of lotus stalk,
My beloved’s body is charming, even in this somewhat distraught state.
Similar is the pain of love and of the speading summer heat,
But the attack by summer heat never shows so lovely on young girls.
Priyamvada: (aside) See, Anasooya, Shakunthala has been looking upset from the time she met that sage-like king. Do you think this condition of hers is because of him?
Anasooya: my friend, I also had this fear in mind. Well, I’ll ask her.(aloud) My dear, I have to ask you something. Your suffering is so great,
Shakunthala: (half rising) What do you want to ask, my friend?
Anasooya: dear Shakunthala, we don’t know much of love matters. But we find your condition similar to what is described in the old story books.Tell us your problem. Without knowing the cause, how can we find a remedy?
King: My doubt is the same as Anasooya’s.
Shakunthala: (to herself) Very strong is my longing. But even now I am not able to tell them all of a sudden.
Priyamvada: dear Shakunthala, what she says is quite right. Why do you neglect your disease? Day by day your body is getting weaker and weaker. Only that sparkling beauty of yours is left.
King: Not untrue is what Priyamvada said. For
Face with sunken cheeks, chest with breasts their hardness lost,
Stomach exceeding flat, shoulders drooping, complexion pale,
Pitiable but pretty to look at, in this love anguish, she looks;
Like a jasmine creeper, waving in the wind with drying leaves.
Shakunthala: To whom else can I speak out, my friend? I shall though be causing you endless trouble.
Both: That is why we are insisting. A sorrow shared among friends becomes tolerable.
King: Asked by the friends who share their joy and grief together,
She will definitely tell them what ails her.
Many times she turned and with longing looked at me;
But now here I am scared of hearing what she would say.
Shakunthala: Friend, from the time that the noble king, who protects our ashrams, came in my sight, (stops bashfully)-----
Both: dear friend, do speak.
Shkunthala: From that time, I have been in this condition, craving in my heart for him.
King: (joyfully) I have heard all I wanted to hear.
Love has been the cause of my woes;
He himself is now the agent of my cure.
Like a cloudy dark day, to all living things
At summer’s close.
Shkunthala: So, if you approve, do all you can to make the king have pity on me. Otherwise, be ready to do my funeral rites.
King: After these words no room for any doubt.
Priyamvada: (aside) Anasooya, she is far gone in her love fervour, and will not brook any delay.The person she loves is the very crest-jewel of the Pooru house. So it is proper that we approve her love.
Anasooya: It is as you say.
Priyamvada: (aloud) By God’s grace, your love is suited to you. Into what, other than the sea, will a great river flow! What other than a mango tree will satisfy the jasmine creeper!
King: No wonder that the twin Vishakha stars always go with the crescent moon!
Anasooya: Now what is the way to accomplish her desire, without delay and quietly?
Priyamvada: Quietly, it raquires thinking. Quickly, is easy.
Anasooya: Like how!
Priyamvada: The king has been looking all these days sleep-starved, his infatuation for her clearly visible from his longing looks.
King: It is true I have become like that. For
This gold bangle nignt by night has its precious stones discoloured by the scorching
Heat of tears that stream from the corners of my eyes resting on my arm.
And I have to constantly draw it back, as it,hardly touching the bow-string welts,
slips and slips from the wrist.
Priyamvada: Let her write a love letter. And I’ll reach it, hid inside a flower, to him, pretending that it is a remnant of the offering to the gods.
Anasooya: I like your nice plan. What will Shakunthala say!
Shakunthala: How can I object to my friends’ suggestion?
Priyamvada: In that case, think how to write, introducing yourself, something simply worded.
Shakunthala: Friend, I am thinking. But my heart quivers in fear of rejection.
King: (delighted) He whose rejection you fear, my cowardly girl,
Is who stands here, all eager to be with you.
One, whoseeks Fortune, may or may not get,
How can one, Fortune seeks,be hard to get!
Friends: O! self-belittling girl, who now will ward off the body-soothing autum moon-light with a piece of cloth!
Shakunthala: (smiling) I am now persuaded by you.(she sits up and ponders)
King: No wonder that I am looking at her, forgetting to even blink.
As, with one eye brow raised, she composes the words,
The flushing of her cheeks proclaims her love for me.
Shakunthala: friends, I have thought out the matter of the song. But where are the writing materials?
Priyamvada: You may write with your nail on this lotus-leaf, smooth like the underside of a parrot.
Shakuntnala: (doing as told) friends, now hear and see if it makes any sense.
Both: We are listening.
Shakunthala: (reads) I do not know your mind; but, unkind one, day and night
Cupid very much heats up my limbs, which all the time yearn for you.
King:(suddenly approaching) O slender-bodied girl, you Cupid heats, but me he burns indeed;
The Day does not wither a blue lotus so much as the moon!
Friends( joyously) Welcome to this instant fulfilment.
(SHAKUNTHALA TRIES TO GET UP)
King: please, please don’t exert.
Your limbs that, in great discomfort, have ruffled the flower-bed,
And carry the scent of broken bits
Of fast drying lotus-stalks,
Should not bother to observe such courtesies.
Anasooya: Let our friend honour one side of this stone seat.
(KING SITS, SHAKUNTHALA STANDS SHYLY)
Priyamvada: The mutual love of both of you is evident. Only love for my friend make me say this, though it may be unnecessary.
King: Good lady, don’t hesitate. What is in mind, if unsaid, will cause regret later.
Priyamvada: Your duty is to remove the troubles of all suffering people in your land.
King: Nothing greater than that.
Priyamvada: Then, this our dearest friend has been put in this state because of you, by God of Love. So you must look after her with consideartion throughout life.
King: My good lady, this love is common to both of us. I feel I am blessed in all ways.
Shakunthala: My friend, why do you trouble the king who must be missing the ladies of his harem.
King:
If my heart, which depends on no other than you,
Abiding in my heart you otherwise take,
Already pierced to death by cupid’s darts,
I, sweet –looking girl, am again struck.
Anasooya: Friend, we hear that kings have many loves. Please act in such a way that our dear friend will not have to be pitied by her relatives.
King: Lady,why say too much!
Though I have many wives, on only two will my family rest:
Earth skirted by the seas and this dear friend of yours.
Both: we are relieved.
Priyamvada: (casting her looks) See, Anasooya, this little deer, with eyes turned here, is searching for its mother. Let’s take it to her.. (both start to go)
Shakunthala: Friends, I am helpless here. Let one of you go.
Both: He, who is the whole world’s help, is standing near you. (and both leave)
Shakunthala : How! Both of them are gone!
King: Don’t be upset. Is not this one who adores you standing near! O my pretty girl, with smooth round thighs,
Shall I fan you with this lotus leaf,
Spreading cool refreshingly moist air?
Shall I place on my lap your feet , pink as lotus flower
And gently stroke them, till they are relieved of ache?
Shakunthala: I don’t want to commit the crime of disrespect to honourable people. (rises and starts to go)
King: Fair one, the day is far from over, and this is your condition.
Leaving this bed of flowers, and covering the bosom with a lotus leaf,
How can you go with these disease-weakenrd limbs? (stops her by force)
Shakunthala: King of a noble house, don’t be unmannerly. Though in love, I am not free to do what I like.
King: Timid girl, don’t have any fear from elders. The respected chief of the ashram, knowing your character well, will not take offence. Also,
We have heard of many daughters of the sage-like kings
Who,privately married,were blessed by their elders.
Shakunthala: Just leave me now. Let me once more consult my friends.
King: Ok. I will leave you.
Shakunthala: When!
King: When I have sucked the juice
from your soft smooth lips
As thirstily as the bee
from a fresh blown bloom.
(and tries to raise her head. Shakunthala draws back to avoid)
[IN GREEN ROOM)
[O you wild goose bride, bid farewell to your mate. Night is approaching.]
Shakunthala : King, no doubt, venerable Gauthami, hearing of my illnes, is coming here. Hide behind the trees.
King: Right. (stands covering himself)
[ THEN ENTER GAUTHAMI CARRYING A VESSEL, AND THE TWO FRIENDS]
Friends: Come this way, venerable Gauthami.
Gauthami: (coming close to Shakunthala) my dear, are you feeling less feverish?
Shakunthala: Madam, I feel better.
Gauthami: With this water from this holy Darbha- grass, you would be completely cured. (sprinkles water on Shakunthala’s head) my child, it is getting dark. Come, let us go inside.
[THEY START TO GO]
Shakunthala: (to herself) Heart, even after first getting easily what you wanted, you are not getting over your timidity. Why feel sorry, now that you are parted unwillingly. (aloud) Creepers-circled bower, that relIeved me of my fever, I bid you farewell, to meet again and enjoy your company.
[RXIT SHAKUNTHALA SLOWLY, ALONG WITH OTHERS]
King: (taking up his old place, and sighing)Ha! Achieving your desires is always beset by obstacles. For,
I lifted up her handsome face with thick eyelashes,
As she turned away,and covering with fingers her underlip ,
Agitated, uttered protest words in a charming way;
I could not kiss!
Where to go now! Or I shall remain for a minute in this very bower, which my beloved has found pleasure in, and left. (observing all around)
This bed of flowers, ruffled by her body, on this slab of stone,
This withered love-letter scratched by nail on lotus leaf,
This bracelet of lotus stalk fallen from her hand,
My eyes stuck on these,I am not able suddenly to leave this house of reeds.
(FROM OUTSIDE)
KiNG,
When the sacrificial rites are on,
Round the fire-lit altar, here and there,
Ssattered fearful shadows of demons move,
` Reddish like evening clouds.
King: I am, I am coming. (exit)
[END ACT 3]






SHAKUNTHALAM ACT 4
(ENTER FRIENDS, GATHERING FLOWERS)
Anasooya: Dear Priyamvada, though I feel relieved that Shakunthala has, by Gandharva marriage rites, been happily united to a suitable husband, there is this worry.
Priyamvada: Like what?
Anasooya: Whether, the noble king, released by the priests after the completion of the sacrifice, and now back at home in the company of the ladies of his harem, will remember what happened here, or not!
Priyamvada: Be assured. Such noble features do not come with anything other than good character. But when Father hears this news, I don’t know how he will take it.
Anasooya: As I see it, he will approve it.
Priyamvada: How?
Anasooya: The important thing after all is to give one’s daughter in marriage to a good person. If Fate itself has accomplished it, have the parents not got what they wanted effortlessly?
Priyamvada: (looking at the flower basket) My friend, we have got enough flowers for the pooja.
Anasooya: Should we not pray to Shakunthala’s Goddess of Fortune!
Priyamvada: That is right.
[FROM IN THE GREEN ROOM, “ HULLO, THIS IS ME”]
Anasooya: (listening) Dear, it sounds like the announcement of guests.
Priyamvada: Is not Shakunthala at home? Today then, mentally she is not there.
Anasooya: well, this much flowers will do.
(they start to leave)
[IN THE GREENROOM,
Aah! You have no respect for guests!
Thinking on whom, with nothing else in mind,
You did not notice me, rich in ascetic powers, stannding near,
He will not remember you, even when reminded,
Like a drunkard whatever he did earlier say! ]
Priyamvada: Alas, alas! The unpleasant thing itself has happened. Some venerable man has been offended. --Not just anybody! This is the easily irascible ascetic, Durvasas. And thus cursing, he has walked away, with strides, lengthened by the force of his unstoppable speed. What other than fire can burn!
Anasooya: Go, fall at his feet, and make him come back! Meanwhile I wiil get water for his feet.
Priyamvada: Right.( exit)
Anasooya: (steps out, and slips midway) Ha, Stumbling in haste, I have dropped the flower basket. (picks up the flowers)
Priyamvada: (entering) my friend, how can anybody persuade him, who is perverse by nature! I somehow made him have some pity.
Anasooya: (smiling) Even this much is a lot in him. Go on.
Priyamvada: when he refused to come back, I pleaded: “ Your Holiness, Please, considering that it is the first time, excuse the fault of your daughter, who is ignorant of Your Holiness’ powers.”
Anassooya :Go on, go on.
Priyamvada: Saying “ My words cannot but be fulfilled. But my curse will go at the sight of a sign of remembrance”, he quickly disappeared.
Anasooya: We can now console ourselves. There is the ring stamped with his name, which the king, while going, himself put on her finger, and said,” this is for you to remember me always.” With this, Shakunthala has, in her hand, a way out.
Priyamvada: Come, let’s go. We shall finish our religious duties.
( both start leaving)
Priyamvada: (looking) Anasooya, just see. With her face resting on her left hand, our dear friend looks like a painting. With all her thoughts centred on her husband, she hardly notices herself, how then a guest!
Anasooya: Priyamvada, let what happened remain in our mouths. We have to protect our dear friend, so delicate is she by nature.
Priyamvada: Who will pour hot water on a jasmine plant?
(so both exit)
END OF PROLOGUE
(THEN ENTERS A STUDENT, JUST GOT UP)
Student: the venerable Kanva has asked me to see what time it is. Let me go out in the open and see how much of night is left. (walks around and looks) Ha! It is already morning.
One side, Queen of herbs, the Moon, goes to the western ridge,
The Sun, on the other, comes, led by the already appearing Dawn;
Thse two lights, by their simultaneous fall and rise,
Seem to to exemplify the changing states of men.
And
When the moon is set, the same water lily plant
Does not please my eyes, its beauty in memory lost.
The pangs of separation from their loved ones
Are extremely insufferable to the delicate women folk.
Anasooya: (enters, pushing away the curtain) When this is so, even a person, innocent of worldly affairs, cannot indeed but know that this king has shabbily treated Shakunthala.
Student: Let me inform Master that it is time for sacrifice. (exit)
Anasooya: Knowing this now, what can I do! I feel unable to move freely my hands and legs even for normal work. Let Cupid,the God of desires, have his desire satisfied! By him,my simple-hearted friend has been put in the hands of a crook.—Or, the curse of Durvasas is the cause. If not, how is it that a king of such noble family, after all those speeches, does not all this time send even a letter. So we shall send from here that ring to him. Whom among these vey difficult ascetics can we ask! Though I am convinced that my friend is innocent, how can I tell dad kanva, just returned from his trip, that Shakunthala has married Dushyantha and is pregnant. When matters stand thus, what can we do!
Priyamvada (entering, delightedly) My friend, hurry up, hurry up. We have to do the auspicious rites for the departure of Shakunthala.
Anasooya: Friend, how come this?
Priyamvada: I’ll tell you. Listen. I went to Shakunthala to see whether she slept well. And there was she standing embraced and being congratulated by dad Kanva. He said, “Luckily, the smoke-blinded sacrificer has put the offering in the fire itself. Dear child, like knowledge given to a good student, you are not to be pitied at all. Today itself, I will send you to your husband, under the protection of ascetics.”
Anasooya: By whom was dad kanva told what happened?
Priyamvad: On entering the sacred place of fire, by a disembodied voice in a rhytmic tone.
Anasooya: (in wonder) Tell me.
Priyamvada: (in sanskrit)
Devout Saint, Know, your daughter is carrying Dushantha’s seed
Like to the sacrificial Sami wood which holds inside the holy fire.
Anasooya: (hugging Priyamvada) O dear! I am so happy. But it is mixed with some sadness that today itself she would be taken away,
Priyamvada: My friend, we will somehow get over this sorrow. Let the poor girl be relieved.
Anasooya: Therefore, I have kept for this very purpose, in the cocanut shell hanging from the branch of the mango tree, a kesar flower garland. Please take it in your hand.i’ll just go and prepare the ointment out of Gorochana powder, earth from holy places, and Doorva grass shoots, for this auspicious moment.
Priyamvada: Please do so.
(exit Anasooya; Pritamvada reaches for the flowers)
[ (in the green room): Gauthami,Tell the worthy Sharngarava to bring Shakunthala.]
Priyamvada (hearing): Anasooya, hurry, hurry. These are the ascetics, departing for Hastinapura, shouting.
Anasooya (entering with the ointment in hand) : Come, friend. Let us go. ( both walk around)
Priyamvada (looking) : There she stands, having had a full head-bath in the early morning, and now being congratulated by the ashram-women , carrying in their hands the consecrated grains and uttering words of blessing. Let us go to her.
(and they approach her)
[THEN ENTER SHAKUNTHALA SEATED AND OCCUPIED AS ABOVE-SAID]
One of the women: (turning to Shakunthala) Child, may you get the title of Chief Queen, indicative of your husband’s respect for you.
The Second: Chilld, may you be the mother of the brave.
The Third: May you be honoured by your husband.
[ THEY, EXCEPT GAUTHAMI, LEAVE, AFTER GIVING THEIR BLESSINGS]
FrIends: (coming close) Hope you had a nice bath.
Shakunthala: Welcome, friends. Sit here.
Both; (with the auspicious bowls in hand, sitting)dear, get ready. Let us dress you up nicely.
Shakunthala: This I must value very much . Since it wiil be impossible hereafter to have my friends dress me. (sheds tears)
Friends: Friend, It is not right to cry at an auspicious time. (wipes tears, and adorns her )
Priyamvada: we are insulting your body, fit for jewelry, with these adornments we have got in ashram.
Two ashram boys: (entering with gifts) These are ornaments. Let madam be decked in these.
[ALL STARE IN AMAZEMENT]
Gauthami: Dear Narada, from where are these?
First: From the great powers of father Kanva.
Gauthami: Is it a creation of the mind?
Second: Not indeed. Listen: We were asked by Master to get flowers for Shakunthala from the trees.Then
From one tree came out a festive silken cloth, as white as moon,
Another oozed liqid lac, enough for her use on feet;
From others, were proffered ornaments by fairy hands
Rising up to the wrist like shoots of the trees’ tender leaves.
Priyamvada: My friend, this favour of Gods indicates your future queenly state of prosperity in your husband’s home.
(Shakunthala enacts bashfulness)
First student: Gauthama, come. Let us tell about this service by the tree-abiding spirits, to Kanva, who must have now finished his bath.
Second: Right.
(both exit)
Friends: O dear, The people here are not used to wearing ornaments. By what we have seen in picturess, we shall put these ornaments on you.
Shakunthala: I know well your skill.
(both put the ornaments on her)
(Then enters Kanva, having had his bath)
Kanva: My heart is touched by anxiety that Shakunthala goes today ,
Throat is choked with blocked tear-flow , my looks vacant with worry;
Such is my sadness because of love, though a dweller of thewoods,
How much will the home-bound suffer when a daughter suddenly leaves!
( he walks towards Shakunthala)
Friends: Dear shakunthala, We have done adorning you. Now wear these two silk garments.
(Shakunthala gets up and wears the clothes)
Gauthami: Child, your father, as if he is hugging you with eyes streaming with tears, has come. Be seated.
Shakunthala: (shyly) Dad, my respects.
Kanva: Like Sharmishttha by Yayati, be you cherished by your husband,
AS she Pooru, get a son, who will be king of kings.
Gauthami: Master, This is a boon, not simply a blessing!
Kanva: Child, go round this fire just fed with sacrificial ghee, and prostrate.
(all go round the fire)
Kanva: (in the rigvedic metre)
May these sacrificial fires, round the altar in their fixed spots,
Fed with holy firewood, skirted with Darbha grass on each side,
Blowing off misfortunes by the smell of the offering dropped therein,
Purify you!
Start now. (casting eyes round) Where is the good Shargarava?
Student(entering) Here we are.
Kanva: Show the way to your sister.
Sharngarava :Here, here, madam.
(all walk around)
Kanva: You, you,trees of the penance grove, present here,
She who will not think of drinking water till you had your drink,
Fond of ornaments, will not pluck, out of love for you, a tender leaf,
For whom your first blossoming time is a featival,
That Shakunthala is leaving for her husband’s home; Please consent!
(indicstes hearing a cuckoo’s note)
These trees, her friends of forest life,
Have given her permission to go,
Sincethey have given their reply in the form
Of these beautiful cockoo notes.
[ (from the heavens)
Let your route be comfortable with soft and pleasant breeze,
Spotted with lakes that shine green with lotus plants,
Sheltered by tree shades that reduce the heat of sun’s rays,
And covered by dust, like pollen ofwater lilies soft.]
(all listen in wonder)
Gauthami: Child, the deities of our penance- grove, who love you like kinsfolk,have given consent for your departire. Bow before the goddesses.
Shahunthala: (walks with bowed head, and then aside) Dear Priyamvada, eager as I am to see my husband, my feet don’t move forward, out of sadness at leaving the hermitage.
Priyamvada: Not only you, my friend, are sad at this separation from the ashram, but the whole place seems to be in the same state as you.
The deer drop the Darbha grass mouthfuls from their mouths,
The peacocks do not dance any more,
The creepers, from which pale white leaves are faling down,
Look as if they are shedding tears.
Shakunthala: (remebering) Dad, I will now bid farewell to my sister, the creeper Vanajyotsna.
Kanva: I know your sisterly affection for her. There she is to your right.
Shakunthala: ( going near the creeper) Vanajyotsna, though now united with the mango-tree, return my embrace with your branches turned this side. From today would I not be far away from you!
Kanva: You have by your past good deeds got a husband fit for you,
Just as I have from the first wished for you;
And since this jasmine creeper is to the mango tree joined,
All my worries are gone about you and her.
From here you may start your journey.
Shkunthala: (to friends) friends, now I am leaving her in your hands.
Friends: In whose hands are we left! (shed tears)
Kanva: Anasooya, don’t cry. Is it not you who should steady Shakunthala?
(All walk around)
Shakunthala: Dad, when this deer, wandering in the ashram grounds, vey slowly because of advanced pregnancy, is atlast delivered without problems, please send somebody to tell me the happy news.
Kanva: I will never fprget that.
Shakunthala: (suddenly stopped) Who is this clinging to my clothes! (turns backwards)
Kanva: My child,
This deer, you have brought up with fistfuls of grain,
Whose face, cut by the kusa grass tips,
You often dabbled with the healing ingudi oil,
Is not leaving your path, as if it were your son.
Shakunthala, My child, are you following me who is forsaking your company? Left by mother shortly after birth, you were brought up by me. When I am not here, father will look after you.Go back!(walks on, sobbing)
Kanva: Firmly stop the continuous flow of tears
That cloud your eyes, wide open with lashes raised.
See, your steps are stumbling on this path
Of uneven ground not noticed by you.
Sharngarava: Master, They say that loved ones should be accompanied upto the water limit. And we are now on the bank of this lake. Here you might give your message and return.
Kanva: In that case, let us stand in the shade of this banyan tree
(all walk and do so)
Kanva: (to himself) Now what suitable message shall I give to the king Dushyantha! (thinks)
Shakunthala: (aside)See, friends, this goose is crying, “How hard is my lot! ”, distressed at not seeing her companion, separated by only a leaf.
Anasooya: friend, don’t talk like that.
Even she lives, without her lover, through the long night of sorrow.
The pang of separation, though great, is made bearable by bonds of hope.
Kanva: Sharngarava, thus you have to tell the king in my words, after taking Shakunthala into his presence.
Sharngarava: Sir, please give your orders.
Kanva: Considering us whose wealth is self-control, and your own great heritage,
And this her love for you, unprompted by kinsmen, which somehow came to pass,
Treat her in the same way as you treat your other wives;
Rest is in fortune’s hands, not to be spoken by girl’s parents.
Sharngarava: Your message is taken.
Kanva: Now I have to instruct you. Though dwellers of woods, we know something about the world.
Sharngarava: For wise men, there is nothing beyond their view.
Kanva: when you go from here to your husband’s home,
Serve your elders, treat the other wives as your dear friends
Do not turn in anger against your husband, even when you arewronged,
Be very considerate to servants, never proud of your good fortune;
Thus girls become mistresses of home, others are shame to the house.
What does Gauthami think?
Gauthami: Indeed this much is the advice to a bride. Child, do all these.
Kanva: Dear, come,embrace me and your friends.
Shakunthala: (embracing Kanva)Dad, will Priyamvada and other friends return from here?
Kanva: These two have also to be married. It is not proper for them to go there. Gauthami will come with you.
Shakunthala: Fallen from father’s lap,how can I live in a strange place, like a sandal vine from The Malaya hill side!
Kanva: my child, why do you worry like this?
Remaining in the honoured position of mistress of your noble husband’s house,
Busy evey moment with its duties, heavy because of the wealth involved,
Giving birth to a son, like the East to the Sun, the purifier of the world,
Child, you will get over this sorrow of separation from me.
(Shakunthala falls at the feet of her father)
Kanva: May you have all that I wish!
Shakunthala: ( going to the friends) hug me, both of you together.
Friends: (doing so) If by chance the king is slow to recognize you, then show him the ring stamped with his own name.
Shakunthala: This doubt makes me quiver in fear.
Anasooya: Don’t be afraid. Too much love makes one fear the worst.
Sharngarava: It is past midday. Madam, hurry.
Shakunthala: (turns and faces the ashram) Dad, when will I see the ashram again!
Kanva: I will tell you.
After remaining long the co-wife of the four-sides-encompassing Earth,
Settling in Dushyantha’s place your son unrivalled in valour,
And leaving on him the burden of household, you will,
Along with husband, turn your steps to this quiet ashram again.
Gauthami: It is getting late. Send father back. Otherwise he will go on talking like this again and again for ever. Sir, please return.
Kanva: Child, my prayer time is getting delayed.
Shakunthala:(embracing father again) Your body is weak with austerities. So don’t be too much worked up on my account.
Kanva: (with a sigh) How can my grief ever go, my child,
When I see the the offering
Of foodgrains made by you
Growing at the cottage door!
Go. Have a pleasant journey.
(Shakunthala leaves along with others)
Friends : alas, alas, Shakunthala is now hidden behind the trees.
Kanv: Anasooya, your companion in ashram duties is gone. Control your grief and follow me back home.
Friends: How can we enter the ashram where Shakunthala will not be anymore!
Kanva: The workings of love are such. (walking thoughtfully) Ah! Look, I am very relieved after having sent Shakunthala to her husband’s home.
A daughter is after all another’s property;
Now that I have her to the rightful owner sent,
My conscience is indeed very clear
As ifa deposit I have returned intact.
(exit all)
[END FOURTH ACT]



.