Shakuntala (feigning anger). Go away! You mean something. I'll not listen to you.
King. I too would like to ask a question about your friend.
The two friends. Sir, your request is a favour to us.
King. Father Kanva lives a lifelong hermit. Yet you say that your friend is his daughter. How can that be?
Anusuya. Listen, sir. There is a majestic royal sage named Kaushika—
King. Ah, yes. The famous Kaushika.
Anusuya. Know, then, that he is the source of our friend's being. But Father Kanva is her real father, because he took care of her when she was abandoned.
King. You waken my curiosity with the word "abandoned." May I hear the whole story?
Anusuya. Listen, sir. Many years ago, that royal sage was leading a life of stern austerities, and the gods, becoming strangely jealous, sent the nymph Menaka to disturb his devotions.
King. Yes, the gods feel this jealousy toward the austerities of others. And then—