Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/251

Rh certainly one's own friend, and one certainly may depend upon one's own self. Therefore, according to the ordinance, thou canst certainly bestow thyself. There are, in all, eight kinds of marriage. These are Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paishacha the eighth. The self-create Manu hath spoken of the appropriateness of all these forms according to their order. Know thou, O faultless one, that the four first of these is fit for the Brahmanas, and six first for the Kshatrias. As regards kings, even the Rakshasa form is permissible. The Asura form is permitted to the Vaisyas and the Sudras. Of the five first, three are proper, the other two being improper. The Paishacha and the Asura forms should never be practised. These are the institutes of religion, and one may act according to them. The Gandharva and the Rakshasa forms are consistent with the practices of Kshatrias. Thou needst not entertain the least alarm. There is not the least doubt that whether according to any of these last mentioned forms, or according to a union of both of them, our wedding may take place. O thou of the fairest complexion, full of desire as I am, thou also in a similar mood canst be my wife according to the Gandharva form.'

"Sakuntala having listened to all this, answered, 'If this be the course sanctioned by religion, if, indeed, I am my own disposer, hear thou, O thou foremost of the Purava race, what are my terms. Promise truly to gie me what I ask thee amongst ourselves alone. The son that shall be begotten in me shall become thy heir-apparent. This, O king, is my fixed resolve. And, O Dushmanta, if thou grantest this, then let our union take place.

Vaisampayana continued, "The monarch, without taking time to consider, at once told her 'Let it be. And I will even take thee, O thou of agreeable smiles, with me to my capital. I tell thee truly. O thou beautiful one, thou deservest all this! And so saying, that first of kings then wedded the handsome Sakuntala of graceful tread, and knew her as her husband. And assuring her duly he came away, telling her repeatedly, 'I shall send for thy escort my troops 28