Shakuntala, restrained by her vow of celibacy and perceiving fault in herself, grew bashful. Observing her discomfort, the venerable sage Kashyapa addressed her gently, reassuring her: even in her bashfulness, she would live long as before, and encouraging her not to be afraid, he asked her to speak openly of what had happened. After washing his feet, Shakuntala served the sage as he rested, setting before him roots and fruits as he desired. She then massaged his feet with care and, fulfilling her duties with devotion, quietly withdrew. Though weary, her beauty undiminished, Shakuntala, modest and smiling with pure simplicity, spoke falteringly to Kashyapa. “Father,” she said, “King Dushyanta, son of Ilila, has come here. He, whom I accepted as my husband by divine ordination, has arrived.” With humility, she pleaded, “Therefore, father, be gracious; my husband is renowned. By your divine insight, you know all that has transpired.” Kashyapa, indeed, perceived everything by his divine vision. Recognizing Shakuntala’s righteousness and her unwavering devotion to duty, the great sage, pleased by her conduct, spoke kindly of what had occurred. “So it is,” he said, “I have seen and known all with my divine sight—what you have done today, even without my knowledge, for the sake of the royal lineage.” He reassured her: “Union with a man is not a violation of righteousness; do not fear, gentle one, for you have acted rightly. For a Kshatriya, the Gandharva marriage—when both desire and consent—is held as the highest form. How much more, when performed with proper rites, will you obtain noble offspring! Dushyanta, righteous and great-souled, is the best of men.” He continued, “Your husband, O Shakuntala, who has come to you while you were devoted, is truly a great soul; your son will be renowned in the world. He will enjoy dominion over the entire earth, bounded by the oceans, and the wheel of his sovereignty will advance without hindrance. His empire will always be unobstructed; and for your sake, O beautiful one, I am well pleased.” Kashyapa reflected on the many fruitless seasons that had passed and, seeing this moment now fulfilled, told her, “You are free from fault. Take a boon from me, whatever you desire.” Shakuntala replied, “He whom I have accepted as husband, Dushyanta, the best of men, has been recognized by me as my husband in the presence of the gods. Therefore, be gracious to him and his counselors.” Having spoken thus, the wise and resolute Shakuntala chose righteousness and steadfastness in the kingdom as her boon. For the good of Dushyanta of the Paurava line, Kanva, foremost among the righteous, blessed her, saying, “So be it.” He touched his daughter, radiant in her beauty, with his hands, and declared, “From this day forward, O noble lady, you are the wife of the great-souled Dushyanta; uphold the conduct that is proper for devoted wives.” Having spoken thus, the righteous sage refrained from further touch for the sake of purity, but at his gentle touch, Shakuntala experienced great joy. After Dushyanta had departed, having pledged himself, Shakuntala, day by day, bore the growing child of that great soul. Consumed with thoughts of the king and the gravity of her situation, she remained sleepless night and day, neglecting food and bathing. Certain that the king’s messengers, Brahmanas, or troops would arrive any day, she waited anxiously, counting the days, fortnights, seasons, and months as the years passed—three years in all. When three years had fully passed, the wives of the sage, honoring the words of their guru, spoke to Shakuntala with gentle reasoning: “Listen, dear one, to the ways of the world; do what pleases you after hearing. The words of the guru should not be disregarded; do what is beneficial. For women, the husband is the highest deity; for the worlds, the Brahmana is the teacher. At the time of childbirth, your father, the venerable one, said: ‘Do as I say.’ That should be done; then you will have acted rightly.” Hearing these words, Shakuntala silently agreed, “Well, so be it,” and soon gave birth to a son of boundless energy. When the child was born, a shower of flowers fell from the sky, divine drums resounded, and the hosts of Apsarases danced in celebration. As the gods sang sweetly, Indra himself proclaimed, “O Shakuntala, your son will become a universal emperor. His strength, energy, and beauty will be unmatched on earth; he, the Paurava, will perform a hundred horse sacrifices. With countless royal sacrifices such as the Rajasuya, he will fulfill his purpose, giving immense gifts to Brahmanas as offerings.” Hearing the words of the gods, all the great sages dwelling in Kanva’s hermitage honored Kanva’s daughter. Shakuntala, filled with joy, called the Brahmanas, and the illustrious sages honored them. Then Kanva, foremost among the virtuous, performed for the child all the sacred rites beginning with the birth ceremony, and continued to do so as the boy grew, ensuring his blessed and noble upbringing.