Shloka 5
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 73: Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dispute, Confinement in the Well, and Yayāti’s Rescue
शकुन्तलोवाच फलाहारो गतो राजन् पिता मे इत आश्रमात् | मुहूर्त सम्प्रतीक्षस्व स मां तुभ्यं प्रदास्यति,शकुन्तलाने कहा--राजन! मेरे पिता कण्व फल लानेके लिये इस आश्रमसे बाहर गये हैं। दो घड़ी प्रतीक्षा कीजिये। वे ही मुझे आपकी सेवामें समर्पित करेंगे
śakuntalovāca phalāhāro gato rājan pitā me ita āśramāt | muhūrtaṃ sampratīkṣasva sa māṃ tubhyaṃ pradāsyati ||
Śakuntalā said: “O King, my father has gone out from this hermitage to gather fruits. Wait here for a short while; he will return and formally give me to you.”
दुष्यन्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores restraint and propriety: even when mutual attraction exists, Śakuntalā points to the dharmic norm that a guardian (here, Kaṇva) should formally consent and give the bride, and the king should wait patiently rather than act impulsively.
In Kaṇva’s hermitage, Śakuntalā tells King Duṣyanta that her father has stepped out to collect fruits and asks the king to wait briefly, assuring him that Kaṇva will return and formally give her to him.