Page:Nine Ideal Indian Women.djvu/74

 SAKUNTALA

In the days of the remote past, when the Kings of Chandra-Vansa (Lunar Race) reigned at Prayag (modern Allahabad), a sage, named Bishwaimitra, lived the life of a hermit in the forest of the district now known as Bijnor, in the United Provinces.

So great were his austerities, that all men feared him and even the devas became alarmed lest, by his fasts and vigils, he should wrest a favour from Heaven, become a god and, by the power of his sanctity, destroy the beautiful earth. Prom their thrones of bliss, they often observed him at his devotions. Frequently, for days together, no food or water passed his lips and, whatever the season or weather, he sat in the open air, on a rock, and prayed, and prayed and prayed.

“We must do something,” said the devas, “or this mooni will obtain power to destroy the creation. Somehow or other, his tapa (prayers) must be stepped, and he must be made to see life with more human eyes.”

They decided to go to Menaka, the most beautiful of all the celestial fairies, and, when they met her, they implored her to grant their wish and descend to the earth and tempt Bishwamitra. Poor Menaka shrank from the task, but the devas assured her that no harm would befall her, and said:

“All.we want you to do is to show Bishwamitra the beauty of mortal love. It is the real link between man and God, and no human life is perfect without the knowledge that comes from love and suffering for the loved ones. Go, Menaka, and you shall be blessed as no fairy has ever before been, and your child shall give to the world a son of the royal race of the Moon, whose name shall never cease.”

Menaka sorrowfully descended to the earth, and found Bishwamitra upon his prayer-worn rock, and she waited quietly for him, beside the river. For