SHAKUNTHALAM ACT 1

SHAKUNTALAM

(The customary prayer)

May the Lord, perceived through these eight manifestations:
The first of created things, (water),
What conveys the sacrificial offering, (fire),
The ritual offering itself,
And the one which does the offering, (the Self),
The duo that cause time, (the Sun and Moon),
That which, perceived only by the ear, pervades the world, (Space),
That which is known as the ultimate source of matter, (Earth),
That by which living beings live, (Air),
protect us from all woes!
(Now at the end of prayer, the stage director enters:)
Director (looking towards the green-room): Madam, if the arrangements are over, please do come here.
Actress (entering) : Sir, here I am. Give your command, what shall I do?
Director: Madam, this is mostly a select audience before us. Today we have to stage a new play called Abhijnana Shakunthalam, written by Kalidasa. So pay special attention to each part.
Actress: nothing can go wrong, since you have very well worked out everything.
Director: madam, let me tell the truth. I don’t think the skill of acting is proven, until the connoisseurs approve. However well you practise, one is never sure in one’s mind about oneself.
Actress: That is true. Please order me what I should do next.
Director: what else, let us please the ears of the audience.
So please sing a song about this early pleasant summer-time. Now indeed,
The days are such that a dip in water is delectable,
the winds from the woods blow laden with fragrance from the Patala trees,
there are dense shady places for easy sleep,
and picturesque is the close of day.
Actress (sings)
The damsels tenderly pluck and place
over their ears the shirisha blossoms,
with their delicate stamen-tips,
gently gently kissed by bees.
Director: madam, well sung. Ha! All round, the theater appears still as a painting, their attention centred on the melody. (after a pause)---- And now with what play shall we please them?
Actress: But did you not just now say that the new play called Shakunthalam is to be staged by us!
Director: well have you reminded me. For a moment indeed I forgot. How! I was carried away by the melodiousness of your song, just as this king Dushyantha by the speeding deer!

(exit)
END OF PROLOGUE
ACT ONE

(Now enters the king, chasing the deer, armed with bow and arrows, in a chariot, along with charioteer.

Charioteer: (pointing out the deer to the king), Your Honour,
Looking at you with string’d bow,
And at this deer in front,
It is as if, before me, I see
God Shiva himself chasing deer.
King: Driver, Far have we been led by the deer.
Look, even now he,
Eyes fixed , with a pretty twist of neck, on the fast advancing chariot,
The rear half of its body almost shrinking ,for fear of being hit by the arrow, into the front,
Its path strewn by half- chewed grass falling from mouth open with fatigue,
Moves, because of its forceful leap, more in the air than on earth.
(surprised) how, in spite of our racing, it has become difficult for me to see him!
Charioteer: Your Honour, I reduced the speed a bit by drawing in the reins, because the path was uneven. That is why the deer has got farther from us. Now that we are on level ground, it wont be difficult for you to close on him.
King: If that is so, by all means loosen the reins.
Charioteer: As you command, Your Honour, ( appraising the chariot speed), Look, look, as soon as the reins are loosened,
The horses, as if impatient at the speed of the deer,
Bound with lengthened fore-part, the plumes no more tossing,
Ears up and still, and not even overtaken
By the dust that’s stirred up by themselves.
King; (joyfully) honest, these horses beat those of the God of Heaven!
What looked small to the eyes becomes suddenly very big,
what is split in half appears as if joined,
what actually is curved appears straight to the eyes,
Nothing is far from me, or near, because of the the chariot’s speed.
Now you can see me finishing off this deer. (readies the arrow on the bow)
(from the greenroom) wait, wait , king, don't kill. Don’t kill this deer. It belongs to the ashram.
Charioteer: (looking, on hearing this), Your Honour, some hermits have turned up in front of the deer in the path of the arrow.
King (upset): In that case, rein in the horses.
Charioteer: As you order. (stops the chariot).
( then enters a hermit with two others}
Hermit: (raising his hands) wait, wait , king, don't kill. Don’t kill this deer. It belongs to the aashram.
Never, never, let the arrow fall on this
Soft body of the deer, like fire on a flower heap!.
Where is the frail life of the poor deer; Where are these
Sharply piercing arrows of yours, falling like a thunder-bolt!
So do put back the arrow you have placed on the bowstring. Your weapon is to protect the weak, not to strike at the innocent!
King: already withdrawn.
Hermit: This becomes you, leading light of Pooru’s race.
For you born in Pooru’s house,
This is completely fitting. May you have
A son, with the same qualities,
Who will become king of kings!
Others ( raising hands) By all means, have a son who will be king of kings!
King (bowing down): I accept.
Hermit: king, we are on the way to gather wood for fuel. This you see on the bank of the river Narmada, is the ashram of Kanva, the head of this settlement. If you are not otherwise engaged, please enter and enjoy their respectful hospitality. Also,
Seeing the good deeds of the wood-dwellers
Being performed without any hindrance,
You will come to know how much your arm,
Bearing marks of bowstring-scars, protect.
King: Is the Master now there?
Hermit: Just now , leaving his daughter Shakunthala to look after the guests, he is gone to Soma-Thirtha, in order to propitiate the god of fate unfavourable to her at this time.
King : That is all right. I will meet her. She will of course convey my respects to him.
Hermit. Let us then leave.
(exit with the other two)
King: driver, spur on the horses. Let me for a while, purify myself by the view of this holy ashram.
Charioteer: As you order. ( again enacts the speed of the chariot)
King: (looking around) even when not told, one can see that this is a place of holy people doing penance.
Charioteer: How really!
King: Don’t you see?
Wild grains, fallen from tree-hollows where parrots nest, lie below; Rocks are worn smooth
in places used for breaking the ingudi nuts; The animals, because they have become trustful,
Do not change their gait at sudden sounds; paths from ponds are all marked
By rows of water-drops falling from the edges of bark-cloths the hermits wear.
And also,
The roots of trees are washed by little canals of water rippling in the wind;
The colour of tender leaves are faded, because of smoke rising from the sacrificial ghee;
Baby deer wander slowly, slowly , without fear,
Over the park- lands with chopped sprouts of grass .
Charioteer: All agrees.
( After driving a short time)
King: Let there be no disturbance to the inhabitants of this sacred place. Stop the chariot here itself. Let me get down.
Charioteer: Reins are drawn. Your honour may get down.
King (getting down, and looking at himself) One should enter the ascetics’ sacred woods, modestly dressed. Please take these. (handing over the bow and ornaments) During the time I visit the ashram inmates and return, keep wet the back of the horses.
Charioteer: As you say (exit)
King: (walking around and viewing) This is the entrance to the ashram. I shall enter.
(entering and indicating an omen)
Quiet is this ashram and still throbs my arm.
From where can anything come out of it in this place!
Or everywhere, there will be
An opening for what is predestined!
(in the green room. “here, come here, friends”)
King: (listening) Ha! It seems some conversation is going on to the south of this garden. Let me go near. (walks and watches) Ha! These ascetic’s daughters, carrying pots suited to their sizes, are heading here, to water the tender plants. (closely viewing) Oh! sweet they look.
If such a figure, hard to find among city girls,
Is that of an ashram-girl,
Verily the garden plants stand
Out-distanced by wild creepers!
I’ll wait here in this shade. (stands watching)
(now enters Shakunthala, engaged as said above, along with two friends)
Shakunthala: here, come here, friends,
Anasooya: Dear Shakunthala, I suspect that these little plants are dearer than you to father Kanva. Since you, more tender than a jasmine plant, is asked to water them.
Shakunthala: not only that dad wanted. I have a sisterly affection for them.
King. What, this is that daughter of Kanva! The venerable sage has really no discrimination, in that he makes her do these ashram chores.
This sage who wants to make this
Unadulteratedly sweet body for penance fit,
Surely will try to cut the hardy shami plant
With the edge of a blue lotus leaf.
Let it be, let me, behind this tree, watch her unsuspected. ( so does)
Shakunthala: Dear Anasooya, I cant move freely, because this Priyamvada has tied my bark-cloth bodice too tightly. Please loosen it a bit.
Anasooya: Ok (loosens it)
Priyamvada: Laughing)In this you better blame your youth for the swelling of your breasts, why blame me!
King: Well spoken.
Because this bark-cloth, tied by a tiny knot
On the shoulder, hides her two swelling breasts,
This youthful body of hers does not reveal her natural charm,
Like a flower that is hid inside a pale white leaf.
Or it is not that this bark-cloth, quite unsuited to her body, does not add some charm as of an ornament.
A lotus even when encircled by water weeds is enchanting,
Even the dirty spot on its surface adds a beauty to the moon,
This pretty girl is only the more lovely for her bark cloth;
For a sweet figure, what will not serve as an ornament!
Shakunthal; (looking in front) This kesara tree, with its finger-like tender leaves, waving in the wind, appears to be beckoning me. Ill attend to it.
Priyamvada: dear shakunthala, just stand there, for a minute.
Shakunthala: For what?
Priyamvada: This kesara tree, with you standing by, appears as if accompanied by a creeper.
Shakunthala: this is why you are priyam-vada, the sweet –tongued.
King: Sweet, but it is also true, what Priyamvada told Shakunthala.
Her lips are as red as tender leaves,
Arms like to the smooth slim boughs,
And youth is spreading like blossoms
Over her pretty limbs.
Anasooya: my dear Sakunthala, here is the jasmine creeper, who is of her choice wedded to the mango tree, and whom you have named “vana-jyotsna”, the moonlight of the woods. You have forgotten her.
Shakunthala: Then I would forget myself. (approaches the plant and looks with joy.) Dear, this tree- creeper couple has come together at the proper time. “Vana-jyotsna” is flowering in its early youth; the tree, full of smooth tender leaves, looks fit for enjoyment.
Priyamvada: (smiling) Anasooya, Do you know why Shakunthala is looking at vanajyotsna so closely?
Anasooya: I cant indeed imagine! Tell me!
Pritamvada: That, “ just as vanajyotsna is joined to a suitable tree, would I also get a suitable mate”
Shakunthala: This sure is your own desire! (pours water from the pot)
King: Is it possible that she is the sage’s out-of –caste daughter!
Or why doubt?
Certainly she is fit to be married to a Kshathriya, since my noble heart yearns for her. For good people, in case of doubt, one’s own mind is the best judge. Yet I shall find out the truth.
Shakunthala: (excited) Ha! Ha, this bee, disturbed by falling water, has left the creeper and is heading towards me. (enacts being troubled by the bee)
King: (watching longingly)
Turning her tremulous eyes there and there,
Wherever wherever the bee flutters,
And arching her eye brows,she, in her fear,
Rehearses without love, the winsome plays of a loved one’s looks.
( as if jealous) Moreover,
You brush past her quivering eyes that look sideways restlessly;
You come close and hum, it would seem, love secrets in her ears;
You drink her lip, the fountain of all delights, while she wildly shakes her arms;
O Bee, we with our philosophical doubts are lost, you indeed get what you want!

Shakunthala: This naughty thing does not stop! I’ll go somewhere else. What, he follows me also here. Friends, protect me from this pestering brash bad bee.
Both together: (smiling) Who are we to protect! You call Dushyantha. The sacred penance- groves are supposed to be protected by the king!
King: This is the time to reveal myself. Don’t fear- [(without finishing, to himself) They will recognize that I am the king. Ok, I’ll speak like this.]
Shakunthala: (stopping mid-step, and rolling her eyes) What! he follows me even here!
King: (hurriedly approaching)
When the scion of Pooru’s house, the chastiser of the unruly,
Rules this world, who molests the poor ascetic girls!
(All look embarrassed at the sight of the king)
Anasooya: Sir, there is really nothing calamitous. This our friend Shakunthala got a bit frightened at the sight of a bee.
King: ( facing Shakunthala) Is your penance going on all right?
(Shakunthala, out of shyness, stands speechless)
Anasooya: Honoured that we got a special guest. Shakunthala, go inside, get fruits and other things to give our guest, This will serve to wash his feet.
King: Your nice words are enough for hospitality.
Priyamvada: In that case, sir, please sit for a while on this cool shady seat under the saptaparna tree, and take rest after your exertion,
King: Surely all of you must be tired after this work.
Anasooya: Dear Shakunthala, It is proper that we wait upon the guests. Let us sit here. (all sit)
Shakunthala: (to herself) How is it that, seeing him, I am affected by some feelings not proper in this sacred place.
King: ( looking at them) Ha, you are all of the same age and figure, it is really nice to see your friendship.
Priyamvada: (aside) look, , Anasooya, who is this person with such a handsome dignified figure, talking so sweetly; seems to be somebody great.
Anasooya: (also aside) my friend, I am also curious. I shall ask him now (aloud) Sir, The confidence that your sweet words have given me makes me ask you. Which is the holy royal family embellished by you? Which is that country you have left, leaving the people yearning after you? And what is the reason for inflicting on your very delicate body all this trouble of coming to this ascetics’ place?.
Shakunthala: (to herself) O my heart. Don’t flutter. This Anasooya is expressing your own thoughts.
King: (to himself) How can I reveal myself, or how can I conceal! Let be, I’ll tell her this. (aloud) Madam, I am appointed by the king Dushyantha to look after law and righteousness, and I came to this ashram of righteousness to see that all the rites are going on unhindered.
Anasooya: We have indeed now a protector.
(Shakunthala exhibits bashfulness due to amorous feeling)
{ Both the friends: (understanding the feelings of the two, among themselves) dear Shakunthala, If now father Kanva were present here!
Shakunthala: So what!
The friends: He would have gratified him with the dearest of his life’s precious possessions.
Shakunthala: Go away. You are both talking with something in your mind. I don’t want to hear.]
King: Let me also ask you something about your friend.
Both: This request is more like a favour.
King: It is well known that the great sage Kanva is a life-time celibate. How is it that this your friend is his daughter?
Anasooya: Listen, sir. There is a saintly king of great powers, with family name Koushika.
King: Yes. I have heard.
Anasooya: Understand, he is the source of our dear friend. Dad Kanva brought her up when she was abandoned and so became her father.
King. This word, abandoned, makes me curious. I would like to hear from the beginning.
Anasooya: Hear, sir, Long ago, it is said, when this royal sage was engaged in a terrible penance, the gods who got a little suspicious, sent a heaven’s courtesan, called Menaka, to cause obstacles.
King: There is, on the part of gods, this cowardice towards others’ spiritual progress.
Anasooya: Then during the glorious time of spring, seeing her alluring figure,---(stops mid-sentence, overwhelmed by shyness)
King: what happened afterwards can be easily guessed!
Anasooya: What else!
King: That makes sense.
How can from an earthly woman come this beauty!
The lightning, with its tremulous sheen, does not rise on the Earth’s surface.
( Shakunthala stands with bowed head)
King: (to himself) My wish gets a chance of fulfilment. But, hearing the plan for marriage, said in jest by her friend, my mind is all trepidation, because of suspense.
Priyamvada: (looks smilingly at Shakunthala, and then turns to the king) Sir, you seem to want to say something more.
( Shakunthala threatens her friend with her finger)
King: Madam, well have you noticed. Because I like to hear the story of good people, there is another thing I want to ask.
Priyamvada: Don’t hesitate; There is no restraint in speech for hermitage people.
King: I want to know this about your friend.
Is she to continue this ascetic routine which is against all love feelings,
Till her marriage? Or will she live for ever
Among these pretty deer, beloved by all
Because of the similarity of their looks to hers.
Priyamvada: Sir, we are not free even in the religious duties. Dad Kanva’s idea is however to give her in marriage to a suitable young man.
King: (to himself, overjoyed) Ha, My wish is not unattainable.
My heart, have hope; now all doubts are cleared. What you feared was fire, has turned out to be a gem one can touch!
Shakunthala: (as if angry) Anasooya, I am going.
Anasooya: Why!
Shakunthala: To tell grandma Gauthami about this Priyamvada, who is talking nonsense.
Anasooya: my dear, it is not proper to go suddenly without attending to the needs of this special guest.
(Shakunthala starts to leave without saying anything)
King; (about to hold, then controlling himself, to himself) Ha! A lover’s act of thinking is almost like a physical movement.
Wanting to go after her, but held back by self-control,
I almost jumped out of my seat and returned.
Priyamvada: (seeing Shakunthala leaving) my dear, it is not right for you to go.
Shakunthala: (arching her brows) For what reason!
Priyamvada: You owe me two pots of water. Come, you can go after freeing yourself. (holds her back by force)
King: My good lady, it seems to me that this lady is already tired with watering trees.
Her hands, the palms extremely red, hang limp from the shoulder due to the lifting of pots;
Even now her abnormally deep breath causes throbbing of her breasts;
A sheet of sweat drops spread over her face, covers the shirisha flowers on her ears;
And her ruffled hair is hanging loose,held back by one hand.
So I will pay her debts. (and wants to give his ring )
(Both read the letters of the name etched on it, and look at each other)
King: Don't mistake me for somebody else. This is a gift from the king, please understand that I am his officer
Priyamvada: In that case this ring should not leave your finger. (with a subdued smile) She is freed of debt by your word. Dear Shakunthala, you have been freed by this kind gentleman, or by this maharaja. Now you go.
Shakunthala: (to herself) If I only could! (loud) Who are you to permit or to stop me!
King: (looks at Shakunthala, and speaks to himself) If her feelings towards me were the same as mine to her! Or I have reason to hope. Why!
Though she does not join in the talk ,
she looks at me and lends her ears when I speak;
True, she does not remain long facing me;
But neither are her eyes most of the time on other things.
[ (in the greenroom)
“Oh pious men, Be ready to guard the ashram’s belongings. They say, king Dushyantha is come for his sport of hunting deer.
Dust raised by horses’ hooves,
Bright as sun’s beams at setting time,
Fall, like a swarm of locusts, on the ashram trees,
The boughs of which have wet bark clothes hung to dry .
Moreover,
An elephant, scared by the sight of the chariot, is entering this holy place,
Like the very incarnation of Trouble, scattering herds of deer,
Carrying on one tusk a tree trunk broken by his violent impact,
And dragging on his leg a rope-like loop of creepers.
(all listen, a little startled)
King: My people, in search of me, are besieging the penance grove. Let be. I shall go to them.
Friends: Sir,we are all worried at this news from the forest. Permit us to go in.
King: (excited) do go, ladies. I’ll try to see that no harm is done to the ashram.
( All stand up)
Friends: Sir, we are ashamed to ask you to visit again, without having given you proper reception.
King: no, not so. By your sight alone, I feel honoured.
Shkunthala: see Anasooya, a tip of a fresh grass blade is stuck in my foot. And my dress is got caught in a branch of the kurabaka plant. Just wait until I free myself
(surreptitiously looking at the king, slowly she goes with the friends)
King: I have lost all interest in going to the city. I’ll go to my followers and put them up somewhere not far away. Am not indeed able to turn my mind from thinking of Shakunthala.
Forward goes my body; my mind,
as if not part of it, runs backwards,
like a cloth tied to a flag
moved against the wind.
(All exit)

(END OF ACT ONE)