Mahabharata – 142

by

Sankar Mukherjee

&

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                     Aadivamsavatarana Parva

Dushmanta’s charges against Shakuntala

Dushmanta said -- I am unable to remember that I begot a son in your womb.Usually female folks are liars.Who will believe you? Your mother Menaka is very cruel & a prostitute. She left you on the Himalayas as the remains of a floral offering made to a deity.Moreover being a kshatriya hungry to become a brahmin lustful Viswamitra is also cruel.Menaka is the best among the celestial dancers.Viswamitra is the best among sages.How is it that you are their child?.You are speaking like a prostitute.You are not ashamed of telling of a story that no one will believe.It is unbelievable  specially to me.Therfore Oh wicked ascetic!Go away.Where are those cruel nature Viswamitra & the celestial dancer Menaka?Oh you wretched ascetic where are you?.How come your son has become so stout, strong & tall like a sala tree?You being a prostitute are very mean & you are also speaking like a prostitute.and profligate Menaka out of lust gave your birth.Therefore by birth you are greedy.Furthermore Oh ascetic I cannot remember whatever you said.You are not reliable.And you are not known to me.Therefore you go wherever you choose as per your discretion.