merely to hand her over as the prized possession of a suitable groom

 

अर्थो हि कन्या परकीय एव तामद्य संप्रेष्य परिग्रहीतुः।

जातो ममायं विशदः प्रकामं प्रत्यर्पितन्यास इवान्तरात्मा॥

अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तले ४-२३

artho hi kanyā parakīya eva tāmadya saṁpreṣya parigrahītuḥ|

jāto mamāyaṁ viśadaḥ prakāmaṁ pratyarpitanyāsa ivāntarātmā||

abhijñānaśākuntale 4-23

In the fourth Act of Kalidasa’s Shakuntalam, we come across an affectionate father, Sage Kanva, his heart brimming and overflowing with love for his cute daughter Shakuntala. Kanva is grappling with the depressive pangs of separation, and at the same time he has to come to terms with realities of life and therefore he has no option left other than sending the girl to king Dushyantha who has married her. He is bidding her adieu with affection and sense of hour. He makes the following remarks.

“Indeed, we cannot forget the fact that we are bringing up every female child with affection beyond measure merely to hand her over as the prized possession of a suitable groom.

Shakuntala is married and therefore her right place is in the company of her husband. Today I am sending her away with all honour expecting her to join the man who has married her. The core of myself, my conscience is full with huge satisfaction of a fulfilled person who has handed over without blemish a valuable treasure that fate presented to me for temporary safekeeping.”

Everyone can understand that the wizened patriarch is burning within himself with grief. However, he is exhibiting utmost maturity and composure. Every father or male sibling can understand and empathize.

कन्या a female child,परकीय of another, property of another person अर्थः wealth एव indeed is अद्य today तां her परिग्रहीतुः of the man who has accepted her संप्रेष्य having sent with honour अयं this मम my अन्तरात्मा inner self, conscience प्रत्यर्पित returned entirely न्यासः deposited for safe-custody इव like विशदःin detail प्रकामं fully satisfied, greatly fulfilled जातः has become