Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/183

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Vaisampayana said,-"The monarcb then, as he proceeded, left even his reduced attendants at the entrance of the asylum. And entering quite alone he saw not the Rishi (Kanwa) of rigid vows. And not seeing the Rishi and finding that the abode was empty, he called loudly, saying.-'What he, who is here ?' And the sound of his voice was echoed back, loud as it was. And hearing the sound of his voice. there came out of the Rishi's abode a maiden beautiful as Sree berself but dressed as an ascetic's daughter. And the black-eyed fair one, as she saw king Dushmanta, bade him welcome and worshipped him duly. And, showing him due respect by the offer of a seat, water to wash his feet, and Arghya, she enquired about the monarch's health and peace. And having worshipped the king and asked him about his health and peace, the maiden reverentially asked.

-'What must be done, o king! I await your commands !' The king, duly worshipped by her, said unto that maiden of faultless features and sweet speech. 'I have come to worship the highly blessed Rishi Kanwa. Tell me, O amiable and beautiful one, where has the illustrious Rishi gone?"

"Sakuntala then answered, -'My illustrious father hath gone away from the asylum to fetch fruit. Wait but a moment and thou wilt see him when he arrives !'"

Vaisampayana continued.--"The king not seeing the Rishi and addressed thus by her, beheld that the maiden was exceedingly beautiful and endued with perfect symmetry of shape. And he saw that she was of sweet smiles. And she stood decked with the beauty of her faultless features, her ascetic penances, and her humility. And he saw that she was in the bloom of youth. He therefore asked her.'Who art thou? And whose daughter, O beautiful one? Why hast thou come into the woods also ? O handsome one, gifted with so much beauty and such virtues, whence hast thou come? O charming one, at the very first glance hast thou stolen my heart! I desire to learn all about thee; therefore tell me all l' And thus addressed by the monarch in the asylum, the maiden smilingly replied in these sweet words :-'0 Dushmanta, I am the daughter of the virtuous, wise, high-souled, and illustrious ascetic Kanwa !'"

Dushmanta, hearing this, replied, 'The universally worshipped and highly blessed Rishi one whose seed hath been drawn up. Even Dharma himself might fall off from his course, but an ascetic of rigid

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