(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’After Dushmanta had left the asylum having made those promises unto Sakuntala, the latter of tapering thighs brought forth a boy of immeasurable energy.  And when the child was three years old, he became in splendour like the blazing fire.  And, O Janamejaya, he was possessed of beauty and magnanimity and every accomplishment.  And that first of virtuous men, Kanwa, caused all the rites of religion to be performed in respect of that intelligent child thriving day by day.  And the boy gifted with pearly teeth and shining locks, capable of slaying lions even then, with all auspicious signs on his palm, and broad expansive forehead, grew up in beauty and strength.  And like unto a celestial child in splendour, he began to grow up rapidly.  And when he was only six years of age, endued with great strength he used to seize and bind to the trees that stood around that asylum, lions and tigers and bears and buffaloes and elephants.  And he rode on some animals, and pursued others in sportive mood.  The dwellers at Kanwa’s asylum thereupon bestowed on him a name.  And they said, because he seizes and restrains an animals however strong, let him, be called Sarvadamana (the subduer of all).  And it was thus that the boy came to be named Sarvadamana, endued as he was with prowess, and energy and strength.  And the Rishi seeing the boy and marking also his extraordinary acts, told Sakuntala that the time had come for his installation as the heir-apparent.  And beholding the strength of the boy, Kanwa commanded his disciples, saying, ’Bear ye without delay this Sakuntala with her son from this abode to that of her husband, blessed with every auspicious sign.  Women should not live long in the houses of their paternal or maternal relations.  Such residence is destructive of their reputation, their good conduct, their virtue.  Therefore, delay not in bearing her hence.’  These disciples of the Rishi thereupon, saying ‘So be it,’ went towards the city named after an elephant (Hastinapura) with Sakuntala and her son ahead of them.  And then she of fair eye-brows, taking with her that boy of celestial beauty, endued with eyes like lotus petals, left the woods where she had been first known by Dushmanta.  And having approached the king, she with her boy resembling in splendour the rising sun was introduced to him.  And the disciples of the Rishi having introduced her, returned to the asylum.  And Sakuntala having worshipped the king according to proper form, told him, ’This is thy son, O king!  Let him be installed as thy heir-apparent.  O king, this child, like unto a celestial, hath been begotten by thee upon me.  Therefore, O best of men, fulfil now the promise thou gavest me.  Call to mind, O thou of great good fortune, the agreement thou hadst made on the occasion of thy union with me in the asylum of Kanwa.’