No Rakshasas or carnivorous
animals took its life. Those vultures protected the daughter of Menaka. I
went there to perform my ablution and beheld the infant lying in the
solitude of the wilderness surrounded by vultures. Bringing her hither I
have made her my daughter. Indeed, the maker of the body, the protector of
life, the giver of food, are all three, fathers in their order, according
to the scriptures. And because she was surrounded in the solitude of the
wilderness, by Sakuntas (birds), therefore, hath she been named by me
Sakuntala (bird-protected). O Brahman, learn that it is thus that
Sakuntala hath become my daughter. And the faultless Sakuntala also
regards me as her father.'
"This is what my father had said unto the Rishi, having been asked by him.
O king of men, it is thus that thou must know I am the daughter of Kanwa.
And not knowing my real father, I regard Kanwa as my father. Thus have I
told thee, O king, all that hath been heard by me regarding my birth!'"
SECTION LXXIII
(Sambhava Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Dushmanta, hearing all this, said, 'Well-
spoken, O princess, this that thou hast said! Be my wife, O beautiful one!
What shall I do for thee? Golden garlands, robes, ear-rings of gold, white
and handsome pearls, from various countries, golden coins, finest carpets,
I shall present thee this very day. Let the whole of my kingdom be thine
today, O beautiful one! Come to me, O timid one, wedding me, O beautiful
one, according to the Gandharva form.
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