There was a king of extraordinary prowess, skilled in the arts of war both atop elephants and horses. In strength, he rivaled Viṣṇu himself, and his brilliance shone like the sun. His steadfastness was as deep as the ocean, his forbearance as vast as the earth. Esteemed by all, he ruled over prosperous cities and rich realms, guiding his joyful subjects toward conduct rooted in righteousness. Now, a desire arose to hear of the birth and deeds of the wise Bharata, and the true origin of Śakuntalā. How did Śakuntalā come to be united with the heroic Duṣyanta? O venerable sage, the wish was to hear this tale in full detail, for Duṣyanta was a lion among men. All wished to listen to the entire account, seeking truth from the best among the wise. Duṣyanta, the king, entered a dense forest, surrounded by hundreds of horses and elephants, and accompanied by his splendid, fourfold army. Heroic warriors attended him, bearing swords and spears, wielding maces and clubs, carrying lances and javelins, and surrounded by hundreds of fighters. The air echoed with lion-like shouts, the sounds of conches and drums, the rumble of chariot wheels, and the trumpeting of noble elephants. Men bearing various weapons, dressed in diverse attire, mingled with the neighing of horses and the sounds of whistling and clapping, creating a clattering noise as the king proceeded. Those standing atop lofty palace towers, resplendent in royal glory, watched him pass. Women beheld him—valiant, famed for his own glory, equal to Indra, destroyer of foes, restrainer of hostile elephants. Gazing upon him, they thought he was the wielder of the thunderbolt: “This is that tiger among men, mighty as Vasu in battle.” With affection for the lord of men, they declared, “Those who encounter the strength of his arms do not remain enemies.” They praised him, showered flowers upon his head, and everywhere he was extolled on all sides by the foremost of Brahmins. With supreme joy, Duṣyanta set out for the forest, intent on hunting, riding a rutting elephant, equal to the lord of the gods. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras followed him as he departed, watching him, wishing him well, and granting him victory. Townspeople and countryfolk accompanied him for a great distance, and then, permitted by the king, they returned home. The lord of the earth, riding in a chariot like Garuda, filled the land—and even the heavens—with his resounding noise. As he journeyed, the wise king beheld a forest reminiscent of Nandana, filled with bilva, arka, and khadira trees, crowded with kapittha and dhava trees. The terrain was rugged, covered with mountain slopes and rays of sunlight, waterless and devoid of people, stretching for many yojanas. The forest, filled with fierce deer, lions, and other wild creatures, was entered by Duṣyanta, the tiger among men, with his servants, troops, and vehicles. Duṣyanta began to roam the wilds, slaying various beasts. Many tigers that came within range of his arrows were brought down, pierced by his shafts. The lord of men struck some who were far away with his arrows, others who approached with his sword; being foremost among those skilled with the spear, he felled deer with his weapon. Well-versed in the true art of the mace, he moved about with tireless valor, wielding javelins, swords, and shaking maces and clubs. There he moved about, striking down wild animals and birds, along with warriors who delighted in battle, the king of wondrous strength. As the great forest was thrown into turmoil, the lords of beasts abandoned it; herds scattered in flight, their leaders slain. Out of agitation, the herds of deer made sounds here and there; having gone to dried-up rivers, they were emaciated by lack of water. Their hearts exhausted from exertion, they fell down senseless; afflicted by hunger and thirst, weary, they collapsed on the ground. Some were devoured by hungry tiger-like men; others, having kindled fire by friction, managed to survive in the forest. At that time, they ate flesh, properly prepared and roasted. Some intoxicated and powerful elephants, wounded by weapons, frightened, drew in their trunks and fled swiftly, discharging dung and urine, shedding much blood. There, wild noble elephants killed many men. The forest, covered by a mass of clouds pouring down a shower of arrows, shone, filled with animals, its lord of beasts slain by the king. Then, having slain thousands of animals, with his army and vehicles, Duṣyanta beheld a forest like a dense cloud, frequented by Siddhas and Caranas. He gazed upon this forest, two yojanas from the city, pursuing wild animals, himself worn out from the chase. Pursuing the animals, the king urged on his horses with speed; through his pursuit of game, he entered another forest. Alone, possessed of great strength, afflicted by hunger, thirst, and fatigue, he reached the end of the forest and came upon a vast, empty place. Passing beyond that as well, the king came upon a place adorned with excellent hermitages, delightful to the mind and exceedingly pleasing to the eye. Joined with cool breezes, he went to another great forest, thickly strewn with blossoming trees and exceedingly pleasant grassy meadows.