"Kanwa continued, 'Shakra (Lord Indra), thus addressed by her, then commanded him who could approach every place (i.e. the Wind God alias Vaayu) to be present with Menaka at the time she would be before the Rishi (Vishwamitra). The frightened and beautiful Menaka then entered the palce and saw there Vishwamitra who had burnt, by his Tapas, all his sins, and was engaged still in severe Tapas. Saluting the Rishi, she (Menaka) then began to sport before him.
"Just at that time Marut (the Wind God) robbed her of her garments that were white as the Moon. She immediately ran, as if in great shyness, to catch hold of her garments, and as if she was exceedingly annoyed with Marut. She did all this before the very eyes of Vishwamitra who was endued with energy like that of fire. (Rishi) Vishwamitra saw her in that position. Seeing her divested of her clothes, he saw that she was of faultless feature. That best of Munis (Rishi Vishwamitra) saw that she was exceedingly beautiful, with no marks of age on her person. Seeing her beauty and accomplishments that bull amongst Rishis (Vishwamitra) was possessed with Kaamaa and made a sign that he desired her companionship. He invited her accordingly, and she also of faultless features expressed her acceptance of the invitation. They then passed a long time there in each other's company.
"Sporting with each other, just as they pleased, for a long time as if it were only a single day, the Rishi (Vishwamitra) fathered on Menaka a daughter named Shakuntala. Menaka (as her conception advanced) went to the banks of the river Maalini travelling along a valley of the charming mountains of Himavat (present-day Himalayas). There she gave birth to that daughter (Shakuntala). She left the new-born infant on the bank of that (Maalini) river and went away.
"Seeing the new-born child lying in that forest that is devoid of human beings but abounding with lions and tigers, a number of vultures sat around to protect it from harm. No Rakshasas or carnivorous animals took its life. Those vultures protected the daughter of Menaka. I (Rishi Kanwa) went there to perform my cleansing and saw the child lying in the isolation of the wilderness surrounded by vultures. Bringing her here I have made her my daughter. Indeed, the maker of the (physical) body, the protector of life, the giver of food, are all three, fathers in their order, according to the Shastras. Because she was surrounded in the isolation of the wilderness, by Shakuntas (birds), therefore, has she been named by me Shakuntala (bird-protected). O Brahman, learn that it is thus that Shakuntala has become my daughter. The faultless Shakuntala also regards me as her father.'
"Shakuntala said, 'This is what my father (Rishi Kanwa) had said to the Rishi, having been asked by him. O king of men (Dushanta), it is thus that you must know I am the daughter of (Rishi) Kanwa. Not knowing my real father, I regard (Rishi) Kanwa as my father. Thus have I told you, O king (Dushanta), all that has been heard by me regarding my birth!'"
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