09 (Sakuntala) Service At The Hermitage

The jester told the King, And was again joking, “One fed up with sweet dates Went for tamarind to taste.” “Tired with the palace girls, You’re now after a hermit girl. Before you go for this, You must think twice.” The King said, “Among the creations Of Lord Brahma, she’s the best one. Had you seen her once You’ll not talk like this.” “Rare things in the world Were rolled into one mould Life was given to it then. Sakuntala is that one.” “No unsacred fingers Can dare touch her. A flower not smelled. A Spring time young bud.” “A fresh honey not tasted By anyone’s lip in the world. It was so fresh and raw. A good pearl with no flaw.” “Who’s that sinless man To taste her beauty, born, Chosen by Brahma now, This, who’ll tell and how? ” “Better go there soon Before some holy man With oily unkempt hair In the jungle, catches her.” Tilting to the other side Madavya like this forced The king to go to the spot And quickly settle it.” The king said, “Her father Has gone out somewhere, So, she cannot decide Being an ascetic bride.” “When I looked at her, Her look was elsewhere. Her smile did reveal Something to foretell.” “Her actions were full Of shyness to tell, She indicated her love But hiding it somehow.” “She went a few feet. Acted as if her feet Were cut by a grass blade And stood under a shade.” “Then she said her dress Was caught in branches Of some bushy tree And she tried to get free.” “Such acts may be excuses I feel, to give me her feelers That she really likes me. She turned and saw me.” “What reason I can say If I go there any day? Can you suggest one? I’ll go there alone.” Madavya replied, “You can say Tax due on rice, they should pay. You went just to remind them. A valid excuse, this time.” “No, it doesn’t look nice, As the hermits’ blessings In fact, are more valuable, Than the tax receivable.” Two hermits saw the king. About him they were talking. “For the benefit of the world To take up this role he is bold.” “To protect subjects is his role. Perfect rule is his goal. Desire is under self-control Such a king is so simple.” “It’s a fact he had brought, The whole world in his net, And he’s like a thunder To his enemies, no wonder.” To him they gave fruits, Paid their due respects, Gave him the message Sent by the hermitage. “We need your presence, To protect our fire sacrifice, As in our Head Sage’s absence Demons create a lot of nuisance.” He said, “You’ve honoured me, For this duty, by inviting me. To serve you, it’s my pleasure Soon I shall go over there.” A messenger brought the news “The King’s mother invites Him for a function most religious That’ll be held in the palace.” In a dilemma, Dushyanta was Of the two, which one to choose? He told Madavya, “You’re, My mother thinks, my brother.” “So, you go to the palace. Do the duties in my place. I’ll remain in the forest And serve the hermits.” “About Sakuntala, it’s a fun, A matter not a serious one. So, don’t tell my parents Or, my other queens.” “As a mismatch for me, She’s more like a deer, Which're her close friends. So, what I told are only jokes.” He was afraid of the jester Who may worsen the matter So, he had to tell a lie To keep the love affair low.”