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Karnataka 2nd PUC Sanskrit Textbook Answers Shevadhi Chapter 4 शून्या मेऽङ्गुलिः
शून्या मेऽङ्गुलिः Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes
शून्या मेऽङ्गुलिः Summary in Kannada and English
“शून्या मेऽङ्गुलिः” is taken from the fifth act of a famous work Abhijnana Shakuntala written by great poet Kalidasa. Kalidasa is popular as Kavikulaguru in Sanskrit literature.
In all his works we can see great imaginations, innovations, simple-easy-beautiful sentences and verses. His poetic style “वैदर्भी” is unique. Merits like माधुर्य and others easily found in his poems. He is unique in usage of simile. Therefore, the statement “उपमा कालिदासस्य” is popular.
The king of Hastinavat, Dushyanta comes to forest for hunting, enters the hermitage of sage kanva. There Dushyanta and Shakuntala love each other. Their love ends in Gandharva marriage. For identification, Dushyanta gives his ring to Shakuntala and goes to Hastinavati. Pregnant Shakuntala spends her time only in Dushyanta’s rememberance. Sage Durvasa comes to Kanva’s hermitage and does not get proper treatment by Shakuntala. Angrily he curses her telling that “Whom you are remembering he will forget you”. Anasuya begs pardon, so that Durvasa concludes his curse saying that “after seeing the ornament of identification the curse will end”. After returning from Somateertha, Kanva gets the news of Dushyanta-Shakuntala’s marriage, becomes happy, congratulates Shakuntala and decides to send her to husband’s house. Gowtami, Sharngarava and Sharadwata along with Shakuntala go to Dushyanta’s court.
(Then enters the Chamberlain)
Chamber – Yet, I cannot make up my mind (or, I do not like) to announce to His Majesty, who has just left the judgment-seat, the arrival of disciples of Kanva which will again interfere (with his repose). Or, this office of governing the people admits of no repose.
The sun has his coursers yoked once for all. The wind blows day and night. Sesha unintermittently bears the burden of earth. And this is the duty of him that claims the sixth part (of the produce of land).
(Approaching) Victory, victory to Your Majesty ! Here are come with females, and bearing a message from Kasyapa, some ascetics living in the forest adjoining the base of the Himalayas. Having heard (this) Your Majesty is to decide (what is to be done).
King – (Reverently) What ! Ascetics with a message from Kasyapa?
Chamber – Aye.
King – Then request our priest Somaratha,
at my word, that he should himself introduced these hermits after having received them with Vedic rites. I too will await (them) here, in a place proper for granting an interview to hermits.
Chamber – As Your Majesty commands.
(Behind the Scenes)
Two Bards – May Your Majesty be victorious (ever prosper)
The First – Regardless of personal comfort you daily toil for (the good of) the people. Or, such is indeed your daily course (of action). For the tree suffers burning heat with its head (while) by its shade it allays the pain of those resorting to it
King – Though wearied in mind, here have we been refreshed.
Door Keeper – Here is the raised veranda of the fire sanctuary, with the cow (useful) for sacrificial purposes near it, and looking beautiful owing to its being newly cleansed. May your Majesty ascend it !
Kings – (Mounts it and stands supporting himself on the arm of his attendant) Staff bearer, with what object can the revered Kasyapa have sent to me those sages.
Door Keeper – I think that the sages rejoicing in (pleased at) your good conduct, have come to congratulate Your Majesty
Then enter with Gautami, the sages, with Sakuntala, placed in front, before them the chamber, and the priest.
Chamber – This way, this way, holy Sirs!
Sarngrava – Saradvata
This king who swerves not from propriety, is I admit magnanimous (or, does not transgress the bounds of duty), nor does any one of the classes, even though occupying a lowly station (in life), take to (follow) the wrong path, still, with my mind long accustomed to solitude, I look upon this house thronged with men, as one encircled by (the flames of) fire.
Saravdata – It is but proper that you have become such on your entrance into this city
Sakuntala – (Gesticulating evil omens) Ah, why does my right eye throb?
Gau – May all evil be averted, my child,
and may the tutelary deities of your husband’s family grant you happiness. (turns round)
Priest – (pointing to the king) Ye Sages, there is the worthy protector of the Sarngar (four) castes and the (four) orders (of life) who, having already left his seat, is awaiting you. See him.
Sarngarava – O mighty Brahmana, this is, indeed, commendable; still, in this matter we are indifferent. For. Trees bend down with the rising (yield of fruit); clouds hang very low when charged with new water; good men do not become arrogant by riches; this is but the nature of those who are benevolent unto others.
Door Keeper – Sire, the sages appear to have bright expressions of face; (hence) I know that they come on a peaceful errand.
King – (seeing Sakuntala) And this lady?
Who could she be, with a veil, and with the charm of her person not. very clearly manifested, standing in the midst of anchorites, like a tender sprout in the midst of sacred leaves.
Door Keeper – My Lord, But then her form appears to be lovely.
King – Well, it is not proper to gaze at another man’s wife.
Sakuntala – (Laying her hand on her bosom, aside) Why tremble so, my heart? Considering the love of my lord, be
you firm at once.
Priest – (Approaching the King) Here are the sages honoured in due form. (They bring) some message from their preceptor. May it please Your Majesty to hear it.
King – I am all attention.
King – Are the sages unobstructed in the performance of) their penance.
Sages – Whence can there be an obstacle to the religious observances of the good when you are the protector? When the sun is shining how can
darkness make itself manifest?
King – Verily, then, my kingly title is significant. Now, is the venerable sage Kasyapa doing well, that he may favour the world?
Sages – Those that have acquired superhuman powers have their welfare under their control. With inquiries after your health he thus
addresses Your Highness.
King – What does His Reverence command?
Sarngarava- By mutual agreement Your Honour married this daughter of mine that (act) of you both was approved of me, pleased (at it). For You are known to us as the foremost of the worthy, and Sakuntala is virtue incarnate. It is after a long time that the Creator, (thus) bringing together a bride and a bridegroom of equal merit, has not incurred censure.
So (by you) let her, who is now quick with child, be accepted for participation in religious observances.
Sakuntala : (Aside) What will my lord say now?
King : What is this that is being proposed (to me)?
Sakuntala : (Aside) The commencement of his speech is (like) fire indeed.
Saranga – How possibly this (from you)? Your Highness is surely fully conversant with the ways of the world.
People suspect a woman, with her husband living, to be otherwise even though chaste, whe exclusively residing in her kinsmen’s family. Hence (it is, that) a young woman is desired by her relatives to be with her husband, whether she is loved by him or not.
King – What, was this lady married by me before?
Sakuntala – Ah my heart ! Your misgivings have proved right!
Sarnga – In men elated with the pride of affluence, such affections mostly take effect.
King – I am seriously censured (in this speech)
Gau – Child, lay aside your bashfulness for a while; I shall just remove your veil; your husband will then recognise you (She acts accordingly)
King – (Having closely observed Sakuntala to himself)
Not deciding whether this beauty of unblemished loveliness, thus come to me), was or was not before accepted by me (in marriage), I am neither able to enjoy nor to abandon (it), like the bee, at the dawn, a kunda flower saturated with dew.
Sarnga – Oking! Why do you thus sit silent!
King – O hermits, though trying to recall it, I do not really remember having espoused this lady. How then shall I receive her bearing visible signs of pregnancy, suspecting my relation towards her (in that case) to be that of a Kshetrin (i.e. a nominal husband)
Sakuntala – (Aside) My Lord has a doubt about the very marriage. Where can now be my lofty aspiration.
Sarnga – Don’t you do it (accept her)
Saradvata – Sarngarava, desist you now, (from your speech). Sakuntala, we have said our say. His Honour here has spoken in the way (you heard). Let
a convincing reply be given him.
Sakuntala – (Aside) What good, indeed, will a reminder do, when that sort of love has undergone such a change? It is now settled that I have to deplore my fate. (Aloud) Where marriage is doubted, this is not the proper form (of address) O descendant of Puru, it is indeed, becoming in your, having at first in that manner deceived this person, naturally simple-minded, after a formal agreement in the hermitage, thus to disown her now!
King – (Closing his ears) Heaven forbid!
Sakuntala – Well, if really thinking (me) to be another’s wife, this procedure has been adopted by you, I will remove your doubt by (showing you) this
token of recognition.
King – (That is) a nice proposal.
Sakuntala – (Feeling her fingers) Alas ! my finger has no ring on it ! (Looks at Gautami sorrowfully).
Gau – Surely your ring must have dropped down as you made your obeisance to the water of Sachitirtha in Sakravatara.
King – (Smiling) “Ready is the wit of womankind”.
Sakuntala – Here, indeed, Fate has asserted itself. Another (convincing incident) I will relate to you.
King – Now it has come to hearing.
Sakuntala – One day (when we were) in the Jasmine bower, you had in your hand water in a cup of lotus-leaves.
King – We are attentive. (proceed)
Sakuntala – Just at the moment the little fawn, named Dirghapanga, my adopted son, came up. By you feeling kindly towards it saying “Let him drink first”, he was coaxed to drink the water; but, not being familiar with you, he did not come close to your hand. He (however) took a fancy for the same water, when afterwards it was taken by me in my hand. Then you said in jest, “One puts faith in one’s relatives; both of you here are foresters.”
King – Lustful men alone are allured by such and other honeyed words, full of falsehood, of women seeking to encompass their own object.
Gau – Worthy Sir, you should not say so. Brought up in a hermitage, this person (i.e. Sakuntala) is unacquainted with deceit.
King – Old dame.
Intuitive cunning of the womankind is seen (to exist) (even) in females other than human. What then is the case of those that possess power of understanding (or, knowledge)? Then female cuckoos, indeed, cause their offspring to be reared by other birds, before flying into the sky.
Sakuntala – (Wrathfully) O wicked one, you judge after the manner of your own heart ! Who else (among men) will act (so basely) as you, putting on the garb of virtue and resembling a well covered over with grass?
King – (Aloud) Noble lady, Dushyanta’s acts are well known; but I do not see this.
Sakuntala – Deservedly, indeed, I have been made a wanton woman who, through faith in his ancestry fell into the hands of one who has honey on his tongue but poison in his heart! (covers her face with the skirt of her garments and weeps).
Sarnga – Thus does a rash deed, done on one’s own advice, burn (when thwarted). Therefore one should form a union, and particularly that in private after a careful examination. Friendship turns into enmity in those whose hearts are unknown to each other as in the present instance.
King – O Sir, why do you, merely relying on this lady, wound us with words implying a number of accusations?
Sarnga – (Disdainfully) You have not heard me properly.
King – Sir Truth-speaker, we admit (all this) as you say; but then, what is to be gained by deceiving this (woman)?
Sarnga – Downfall !
King – It cannot (for a moment) be believed that the Pauravas court (their downfall)!
Saradvata – Sarngarava, what is the use of
(giving him) a rejoinder? We have executed the preceptor’s order. Let us (now) return. (To the KING) This is, then, your wife, receive her (into your house) or forsake her. For, authority over a wife is admitted to be all-reaching (absolute) Gautami, walk on (They set out)
Sakuntala – How now ! I have been deceived by this rogue; and you, too, abandon me? (follows them)
Gau – (Stopping) Dear Sarngarava, here is Sakuntala following us, lamenting piteously. Her husband having cruelly repudiated her, what can the poor girl do?
Sarnga – (Turning back in anger) What, wanton girl, follow the independence?
(SAKUNTALA, trembles, frightened)
Sarnga – O Sakuntala!
If you are as the King says, what can the father do with you that are a disgrace to this family? But if you believe the conduct to be irreproachable, even slavery in the husband’s family is proper for you! Stay here. We go away.
King – O ascetic, why do you delude (inspire false hopes in) this lady? When there is a doubt as to whether I may have been infatuated, or this lady may be uttering a falsehood, shall I be the repudiator of a wife, or polluted by the touch of another man’s wife.
Priest – (Musing) If so, let it be managed in this way.
King – Command me, Your Reverence. Priest – Let her ladyship stay in my house (till delivery). If you ask why I propose this (way; I answer) – You have been told by the sages that at the very first you will beget a son destined for imperiality, you will, with felicitations, admit her to your harem; if it turn out otherwise, to take her back to her father is just the course left.
King – As it pleases my worthy preceptor!
Priest – Follow me, child !
Sakuntala – O venerable Earth, open a grave for me. (Starts weeping)
(Exit with the Priest and the Sages)
(Behind the scenes)
Wonder, Oh wonder !
King – (Listening) What may it be indeed ?
Priest – (Entering) (With amazement) Sire, a veritable miracle has happened!
King – What may it be?
Priest ‘- My lord, when the disciples of Kanva had taken their departure, The girl, reproaching her starts, began to cry aloud, tossing up her
hands
King – And then ? Priest And immediately, in the vicinity of Apsarathirtha, a flash of light in a female form lifted her up and vanished. (All express their astonishment)
King – Holy Sir, even before, we had rejected the thing; what is (now) to be sought by useless conjectures! Let Your Reverence take rest.
Priest – (Looking at the King) Be victorious (Exit)
King – Vetravati, I am quite bewildered. Show the way to the sleeping apartment.
Door Keeper – This way, my lord (sets out)
King – True that I do not remember the daughter of the sage, (now) repudiated, as having been married by me. But my heart aching severely, makes me believe (her to be so) as it were.