Shakuntala, filled with resolve and dignity, spoke to King Dushyanta. “Except for the milk of a she-donkey, my son will drink milk; except for you, O Dushyanta, and the mountain-crowned queen, my son will rule this entire earth.” She continued, “O Shakuntala, your son will become a universal emperor; thus spoke the great Indra, and it will not be otherwise.” She reminded Dushyanta of the many witnesses she had named—divine messengers and others—who neither speak falsehood nor utter untruth. Yet, finding herself without a witness and unfortunate, Shakuntala declared she would depart as she had come. With these words, Shakuntala turned to leave. The fire of anger, visible like smoke upon her head, burned within her. She restrained this anger, keeping it within her flawless limbs, and departed into the forest with her son. At that moment, a bodiless voice resounded from the sky, addressing Dushyanta, who was surrounded by priests, preceptors, teachers, and ministers. The voice proclaimed, “Just as a bellows is the mother and the son is born from the father, so he is indeed the same; accept your son, O Dushyanta, for Shakuntala has spoken the truth.” It explained that a son is born directly from all the limbs; the self is called ‘son’ for this reason, O Paurava. The voice urged Dushyanta to protect his son, to wait for the one who is not another, and not to disregard Shakuntala. It further declared that women are pure and unequaled in this matter according to dharma; month by month, their natural flow removes impurities. Then, all beings spoke together from every direction, affirming, “The bearer of seed raises the son from the realm of Yama, O king; you are the nourisher of the embryo. Shakuntala has spoken the truth.” They reminded Dushyanta that the husband enters the wife and is born again in her, and this is their mutual nature; he must not disregard Shakuntala. The wife gives birth to a son from her own body, made in two parts; therefore, Dushyanta should bear his son Shakuntala. The voices declared this a great fortune not to be abandoned, urging Dushyanta to let his life sustain his own son and to support the great-souled Shakuntala, the Paurava. Since the son is to be maintained by Dushyanta even more than by the command of the gods, they decreed that this son should be named Bharata. From Bharata comes the renowned name by which the lineage is called Bharata; those who came before and after are known as Bharatas. Having spoken thus, the gods and ascetic sages, rich in austerity, joyfully showered a rain of flowers, delightedly calling Shakuntala a devoted wife. Hearing the words spoken by the gods, Dushyanta, descendant of Puru, rose from his throne and bowed to the immortals. Rejoicing, he addressed his priest and ministers, saying, “Let all of you also hear these words spoken by the divine messenger. Let the words of the gods and the great sages be heard as well; I too know this son as truly my own.” He explained that if he were to accept the son merely on Shakuntala’s word, there would be doubt among the people, and the son would not be considered pure. Therefore, having clarified the matter together with the gods and great sages, the king, joyful and delighted, accepted his son. Filled with happiness and affection, Dushyanta performed all the ancestral rites for his son, embracing him lovingly and smelling his head. Honored by the Brahmins and praised by bards, the king experienced supreme joy from touching his son. The righteous king also honored his wife according to dharma, gently speaking to her with soothing intent: “Previously, our relationship was hidden from the world. Today, in the presence of all, our bond has been openly established again. Therefore, for that reason, I spoke thus about him.” He explained to Shakuntala that the people might suspect some impropriety because of her womanhood, so he considered her purity as well. He assured her that Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, each according to their kind, would honor her as a blameless and faithful wife. Their son had been chosen for the kingdom, and Shakuntala was to be chief queen. Dushyanta added, “And whatever harsh or unpleasant words you, with beautiful eyes, spoke to me in anger, O beloved, I have forgiven them. Whether false, improper, harsh, or exceedingly wrong, O large-eyed one, you too must forgive my harsh words; by patience for the sake of the husband, women attain the status of devoted wives.” Having spoken thus, the royal sage led Shakuntala, whose conduct was beyond reproach, into the inner chambers, making her his beloved queen. He honored her with garments, food, and drink, and then approached his mother, Rathantari. He told her, “My son has been born in the forest; he will dispel your sorrow. Today I am freed from my debt by your grandson, O blessed one. This is the daughter of Vishvamitra, raised by Kanva; she is your daughter-in-law, O greatly fortunate one—be gracious to Shakuntala.” Hearing her son’s words, Rathantari embraced her grandson and, as Shakuntala fell at her feet, Rathantari embraced her as well. Holding Shakuntala with both arms, she shed tears of joy and spoke these true words: “I see the signs and marks.” Thus, the union of Dushyanta and Shakuntala was joyfully recognized by all, their son Bharata accepted and honored, and the lineage of the Bharatas was firmly established.