Desiring to join her husband, the slender-waisted Shakuntala prepared to depart, accompanied by her son. Kanva, her sage-father, gently instructed the boy, "Go with your mother. When you reach the king and pay him your respects, you will attain the position of crown prince. Remember, he is your father, the lord of kings—you must obey him. Rule the kingdom inherited from your father and grandfather according to your own nature. But when you are established in your sovereignty, O descendant of Puru, do not forget me." With deep reverence, the boy bowed at the sage’s feet and spoke sincerely, "O sage among Brahmins, you are my father, my mother, and my refuge. Except for you, I do not consider anyone else my father. Serving you is meritorious in this world and the next. Let Shakuntala, who desires her husband, go as she wishes; I will remain here, devoted to you. I shall 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. Moved by his words, Shakuntala began to weep. Kanva, filled with both the affection of a father and the joy and sorrow of a son, heard her anguished cries. He asked, "Why do you weep, Shakuntala? If you wish to please your husband, you must depart at dawn." He continued, "Each person alone commits sin and alone reaps its fruit. I have always restrained you, yet 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. Having done such things and others, O joy of the Puru line, the venerable one became angry, and thus we both were banished." Shakuntala, overwhelmed, replied, "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." Saying this, she fell weeping at Kanva’s feet. Seeing her lament, Kanva gently consoled her with compassionate and beneficial words. He said, "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." Then Kanva addressed her son, "O child of Shakuntala, you are the grandson of the great-souled Ilila. Hear my true words: though your mother desires her husband in her heart and has spoken various words, the noble lady does not wish to go. Therefore, my child, you must carry her; you are able to return with the sages, O descendant of Puru." Kanva then instructed his disciples, "Quickly take Shakuntala and her son from the hermitage. Bring her, honored 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 Kashyapa, and having received permission from him, Shakuntala rejoiced. As Kanva repeatedly urged them to depart, the boy said to his mother and Kanva, "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 bowed to Kanva’s feet and prepared to leave. Shakuntala, with joined palms, bowed to her father and, after circumambulating him, spoke with humility, "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." Kanva, his head bowed, said nothing, but even he, though a sage, shed tears because of his human nature. He then summoned ascetics who lived on water or air, who ate fallen leaves, fruits, and roots, who were restrained, emaciated, and steadfast in their vows. Some wore matted hair or were shaven, some clothed in bark or skins. Moved by compassion, Kanva spoke to them, "This illustrious daughter of mine, born and raised in the forest, has always been cherished by me and knows nothing of the world. Let her be escorted by all of you from the hermitage to the house of the Kshatriya. At the second yojana lies the city of Pratishthana." He continued, "In Pratishthana, the king—Shakuntala’s grandfather—once dwelled for a long time with Urvashi. That excellent city, at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, abounds in marshes and jungles, and is filled with wealth and grain. There, upon reaching the confluence, after bathing and offering oblations into the fire, and eating vegetables, roots, and fruits, you ascetics should return; otherwise, O Brahmanas, the journey will bring fatigue." The ascetics replied, "So be it," and set out, leading Shakuntala toward Dushyanta’s city. They took the lotus-eyed boy, resplendent like a yak-tail fan, and came from the forest to the beautiful city where Dushyanta dwelled. Devoted to righteousness, the ascetics led Shakuntala, traversing forests, rivers, mountains, and streams, guiding her step by step toward her destiny.