Crushed by the boy’s strength, the demon struggled desperately but could not free himself; blood streamed from his mouth as he cried out in terror at the very gates of the hermitage. The dreadful sound of his cries sent herds of deer, lions, and other wild creatures fleeing in fear, and even those living in the hermitage were so shaken that they lost control of their bowels and bladders. The demon, battered and overwhelmed, dragged himself away on his knees and finally collapsed outside the hermitage. All who witnessed this were astonished by the boy’s extraordinary power. In fact, the Daityas and Rakshasas, who had so often tormented the hermitage, now lived in constant dread of the boy. Out of fear for their lives, they no longer dared to approach. Seeing these superhuman feats, Kanva and all the dwellers of the hermitage gathered together and decided to give the boy a fitting name. They said, “Let him be called Sarvadamana, for he subdues all things.” Thus, the boy became known as Sarvadamana. Blessed with valor, strength, and might, Sarvadamana was compassionate as well. He did not turn away those who were afflicted, neither the queen nor the son. Yet his mother, Shakuntala, was a picture of sorrow—her body pale like the moon, her hair loose and unkempt, her form emaciated by worry. She wore soiled garments and was overwhelmed by grief. Kanva, seeing Shakuntala in this pitiable state, pondered deeply upon the scriptures, the Vedas, and the twelve years that had now passed. Observing the boy’s superhuman deeds, the sage realized that the time had come for Sarvadamana’s investiture as crown prince. He turned to Shakuntala and spoke gently, “Hear my words, O gentle one, my daughter, O pure-smiling one. Among women devoted to their husbands, the highest virtue is service to the husband—by mind, by speech, and by bodily actions. You have observed this vow with my permission, and by your conduct you will attain blessed worlds. The time has come, dear one; in the world of men, you will obtain distinguished prosperity. Therefore, today you must go to the presence of the descendant of Puru.” He continued, “Since he does not come himself, believing that the time is past, go and propitiate King Dushyanta, wishing for his welfare. When you see Dushyanta established as crown prince, you will rejoice—for the gods, elders, and Kshatriyas, and especially for husbands, union is beneficial. Go, my daughter, with your son, and fulfill my wish. Do not reply; you are bound by my command.” Having thus spoken to Shakuntala, Kanva addressed his grandson. He embraced the boy, the descendant of Puru, and affectionately smelled his head. “The king, famed as Dushyanta, is born of the lunar dynasty; this pure-vowed lady is his chief queen and your mother. She desires to go to her husband’s side and will take you with her. Having gone and saluted the king, you will obtain the position of crown prince. He is your father, the lord of kings; you must be obedient to him. Rule the kingdom inherited from your father and grandfather according to your own nature. And when you are established in your own sovereignty, O descendant of Puru, do not forget me.” Sarvadamana bowed to the sage’s feet and spoke with deep feeling: “You are my father, O sage among Brahmins, you are my mother, you are also my refuge. Except for you, I consider no one else my father. Serving you is meritorious in this world and the next. Let Shakuntala, desiring a husband, go as she wishes; I will remain at your feet, devoted to your service. I will no longer play with wild animals as before; I will always follow your instructions and diligently pursue my studies.” Having said this, the boy embraced Kanva’s feet. Hearing his words, Shakuntala began to weep. Filled with both the affection of a father and the joy and sorrow of a son, Kanva listened as the daughter of Dushyanta spoke through her tears. Kanva asked gently, “Why do you weep, Shakuntala? If you wish to please your husband, you must depart at dawn. Each person alone commits sin and alone reaps its fruit. I have always restrained you, but you did not heed my words. You would constantly drive out elephants with your arms and always roam the forest filled with lions and tigers. Because of such things, O joy of the Puru line, the venerable one became angry, and thus we both were banished. I will not go to Dushyanta, nor am I a well-wisher of my son; I will remain at the feet of the great-souled sage.” Having spoken thus, she fell, weeping, at Kanva’s feet. As she lamented, Kanva gently consoled her with kind and compassionate words. “Shakuntala, listen to this wholesome advice, dear one: except for the virtues of a devoted wife, nothing else is truly attainable. The gods are pleased with devoted wives and grant them all boons; they show favor and deliver them from calamities. By her husband’s favor, a woman attains merit and never misfortune; therefore, go to the king and win his favor, O pure-smiled one.” Having thus advised Shakuntala, Kanva then turned to her son: “O child of Shakuntala, you are the grandson of the great-souled Ilila. Hear my true words, O sinless one: though she desires her husband in her heart and has spoken various words, the noble lady does not wish to go.” Thus, in the hermitage, amidst love and sorrow, duty and destiny, the sage Kanva guided both Shakuntala and her son toward the path that awaited them.