Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/253

Rh And so ends the seventy-third Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.

 

( Sambhava Parva continued. )

Vaisampayana said, "After Dushmanta had left the asylum giving those promises to Sakuntala, the latter of tapering thighs brought forth a boy of immeasurable energy. And when the child was full three years of age, he became in splendour like the blazing fire. And, O Janamejaya, he was possessed of beauty and magnanimity and every accomplishment. And the first of virtuous men, Kanwa, caused all the rites of religion to be performed on that intelligent child thriving day by day. And the boy gifted with pearly teeth and shining locks, capable of slaying lions even at that age, with all auspicious signs on his palm, and broad expansive forehead, grew up in beauty and strength. And like unto a celestial child in splendour he began to grow up rapidly. And when he was only six years of age, endued with great strength he used to seize and bind to the trees that stood around that asylum lions and tigers and boars and buffaloes and elephants. And he rode on some animals, seized some, and pursued others in sportive mood. The dwellers of Kanwa's asylum thereupon bestowed on him a name. And they said, because he seizes and restrains all animals however strong, let him be called ' (the restrainer of all.) And it was thus that the boy came to be named ', endued as he was with prowess and energy, and strength. And the Rishi seeing the boy and marking also his extraordinary acts, told Sakuntala that the time had come for his installation as the heir-apparent. And beholding the strength of the boy, Kanwa commanded his disciples, saying, 'Bare ye without delay this Sakuntala with her son from this abode to that of her husband blessed with every auspicious sign. Women should not live long in the houses of their paternal or maternal relations. Such residence is destructive of their reputation, their good conduct, their virtue. Therefore delay not in bear- 