'
"Sakuntala then replied, 'Hear, O king, what I have learnt regarding all
that befell me of old and how I became the daughter of the Muni. Once on a
time, a Rishi came here and asked about my birth. All that the illustrious
one (Kanwa) told him, hear now from me, O king!
"My father Kanwa, in answer to that Rishi's enquiries, said, 'Viswamitra,
of old, having been engaged in the austerest penances alarmed Indra, the
chief of the celestials, who thought that the mighty ascetic of blazing
energy would, by his penances, hurl him down from his high seat in heaven.
Indra, thus alarmed, summoned Menaka and told her, 'Thou, O Menaka, art
the first of celestial Apsaras. Therefore, O amiable one, do me this
service. Hear what I say. This great ascetic Viswamitra like unto the Sun
in splendour, is engaged in the most severe of penances. My heart is
trembling with fear. Indeed, O slender-waisted Menaka, this is thy
business. Thou must see that Viswamitra of soul rapt in contemplation and
engaged in the austerest penances, who might hurl me down from my seat. Go
and tempt him and frustrating his continued austerities accomplish my good.
Win him away from his penances, O beautiful one, by tempting him with thy
beauty, youth, agreeableness, arts, smiles and speech.' Hearing all this,
Menaka replied, 'The illustrious Viswamitra is endued with great energy
and is a mighty ascetic. He is very short-tempered too, as is known to
thee. The energy, penances, and wrath of the high-souled one have made
even thee anxious.
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