The venerable
Kanwa is only her reputed father. He it was who brought her up, when she
was deserted by her mother.
KING.--"Deserted by her mother!" My curiosity is excited; pray let me
hear the story from the beginning.
ANASUYA.--You shall hear it, Sir. Some time since, this sage of regal
caste, while performing a most severe penance on the banks of the river
Godavari, excited the jealousy and alarm of the gods; insomuch that they
despatched a lovely nymph named Menaka to interrupt his devotions.
KING.--The inferior gods, I am aware, are jealous of the power which the
practice of excessive devotion confers on mortals.
ANASUYA.--Well, then, it happened that Viswamitra, gazing on the
bewitching beauty of that nymph at a season when, spring being in its
glory------
[_Stops short, and appears confused_.
KING.--The rest may be easily divined. Sakoontala, then, is the
offspring of the nymph.
ANASUYA.--Just so.
KING.--It is quite intelligible.
How could a mortal to such charms give birth?
The lightning's radiance flashes not from earth.
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