Kanva, the gentle sage, looked upon his daughter Shakuntala with affection and spoke to her in a soft, loving voice, “Hear my words, O gentle one, my daughter, pure of smile. Among women devoted to their husbands, the highest duty is service to the husband—by mind, by words, and by bodily actions. With my permission, you have followed this path, and by your conduct you will attain blessed worlds. When this is complete, you will gain distinguished prosperity among mortals. Therefore, dear one, today you must go to the presence of the descendant of Puru.” He continued, “King Dushyanta does not come himself, thinking the time has passed. O pure-smiling one, 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. Therefore, daughter, for my pleasure, go with your son. You must not reply or protest; you are bound by my command.” Having thus spoken to his daughter, Kanva turned to his grandson. Embracing the boy, he pressed his lips to the child’s head, saying, “The king, famed as Dushyanta, is born of the lunar dynasty. This pure-vowed lady is his chief queen and your mother. Desiring to go to her husband’s side, this slender-waisted lady will go with you. When you both reach the king and salute him, you will attain 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 by your own nature. When you are established in your own sovereignty, O descendant of Puru, do not forget me.” The boy, bowing at the sage’s feet, replied with deep emotion, “You are my father, O sage among Brahmins, you are my mother, you are my refuge. Except for you, I consider no one else my father. Serving you brings merit in this world and the next. Let Shakuntala, desiring her 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 spoken thus, the boy embraced Kanva’s feet, and Shakuntala, hearing his words, began to weep. Kanva, feeling both the affection of a father and the joy and sorrow of a son, heard her distressed cries. The daughter of Dushyanta, in her grief, said, “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, yet you do 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 actions, 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 collapsed weeping at Kanva’s feet. Seeing her lament, Kanva gently consoled her and spoke again with compassion and wisdom, “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.” Turning then to her son, Kanva said, “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 many words, the noble lady does not wish to go. Therefore, my child, you must carry her; you can return with the sages, O descendant of Puru.” Having said this to Sarvadamana, Kanva addressed his disciples, “Quickly take Shakuntala and her son from the hermitage. Bring her, adorned with all auspicious marks, near her husband; for women do not find long residence among relatives pleasing. Therefore, do not delay—lead her away, for the sake of reputation, conduct, and righteousness.” Hearing that her son was honored by the righteous Kāśyapa, and having received Kāśyapa’s permission, Shakuntala’s heart was filled with joy. As Kanva’s words were repeated, and urged again and again to depart, the descendant of Puru said to Kanva and his mother, “Mother, why do you delay? We shall go to the king’s palace.” Having spoken thus to his noble mother, the wife of Dushyanta, the boy, after bowing to the sage’s feet, prepared to depart. Shakuntala, with joined palms, bowed to her father and, after walking around him in reverence, spoke in a trembling voice, “If, out of ignorance, I have ever said ‘he is not my father,’ or spoken harshly, falsely, improperly, or undesirably, may you forgive me for that.” Thus addressed, the sage Kanva, his head bowed, said nothing. Even Kanva, though a great sage, shed tears—overcome by the love and pain that even the wise cannot escape.