01.076
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अथ दीर्घस्य कालस्य देवयानी नृपोत्तम। वनं तदेव निर्याता क्रीडार्थं वरवर्णिनी ॥०१-७६-१॥
Then, after a long time, Devayānī, O best of kings, the fair-complexioned lady, went out to that very forest for sport. (01-76-1)
तेन दासीसहस्रेण सार्धं शर्मिष्ठया तदा। तमेव देशं सम्प्राप्ता यथाकामं चचार सा ॥ ताभिः सखीभिः सहिता सर्वाभिर्मुदिता भृशम् ॥०१-७६-२॥
Then, with that thousand maidservants and with Śarmiṣṭhā, she reached that very place and roamed as she pleased. Accompanied by all those female friends, she was exceedingly delighted. (01-76-2)
क्रीडन्त्योऽभिरताः सर्वाः पिबन्त्यो मधुमाधवीम्। खादन्त्यो विविधान्भक्ष्यान्विदशन्त्यः फलानि च ॥०१-७६-३॥
All of them were playing delightedly, drinking sweet Mādhavī wine, eating various foods, and biting into fruits. (01-76-3)
पुनश्च नाहुषो राजा मृगलिप्सुर्यदृच्छया। तमेव देशं सम्प्राप्तो जलार्थी श्रमकर्शितः ॥०१-७६-४॥
Again, King Nāhuṣa, seeking game, happened by chance to arrive at that very region, looking for water and worn out by fatigue. (01-76-4)
ददृशे देवयानीं च शर्मिष्ठां ताश्च योषितः। पिबन्तीर्ललमानाश्च दिव्याभरणभूषिताः ॥०१-७६-५॥
He saw Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and those women, who were drinking, playing, and adorned with divine ornaments. (01-76-5)
उपविष्टां च ददृशे देवयानीं शुचिस्मिताम्। रूपेणाप्रतिमां तासां स्त्रीणां मध्ये वराङ्गनाम् ॥ शर्मिष्ठया सेव्यमानां पादसंवाहनादिभिः ॥०१-७६-६॥
He saw Devayānī seated, smiling purely, incomparable in beauty among those women, an excellent lady, being attended by Śarmiṣṭhā with foot-massage and other services. (01-76-6)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
द्वाभ्यां कन्यासहस्राभ्यां द्वे कन्ये परिवारिते। गोत्रे च नामनी चैव द्वयोः पृच्छामि वामहम् ॥०१-७६-७॥
Surrounded by two thousand maidens, you two maidens: I ask the lineage and the names of you both. (01-76-7)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
आख्यास्याम्यहमादत्स्व वचनं मे नराधिप। शुक्रो नामासुरगुरुः सुतां जानीहि तस्य माम् ॥०१-७६-८॥
I shall tell you; accept my words, O lord of men. Know me to be the daughter of Śukra, the preceptor of the Asuras. (01-76-8)
इयं च मे सखी दासी यत्राहं तत्र गामिनी। दुहिता दानवेन्द्रस्य शर्मिष्ठा वृषपर्वणः ॥०१-७६-९॥
This Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, lord of the Dānavas, is also my friend and maidservant; she goes wherever I am. (01-76-9)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
कथं नु ते सखी दासी कन्येयं वरवर्णिनी। असुरेन्द्रसुता सुभ्रु परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥०१-७६-१०॥
How is this maiden, your friend and servant, of excellent complexion, the daughter of the lord of the Asuras, O fair-browed one? I am indeed greatly curious. (01-76-10)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
सर्व एव नरव्याघ्र विधानमनुवर्तते। विधानविहितं मत्वा मा विचित्राः कथाः कृथाः ॥०१-७६-११॥
Everyone, O tiger among men, follows what is ordained. Considering it to be fixed by ordinance, do not invent varied stories. (01-76-11)
राजवद्रूपवेषौ ते ब्राह्मीं वाचं बिभर्षि च। किंनामा त्वं कुतश्चासि कस्य पुत्रश्च शंस मे ॥०१-७६-१२॥
Your form and attire are like those of a king, and you speak in the manner of a Brahmin. What is your name, where are you from, and whose son are you? Tell me. (01-76-12)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
ब्रह्मचर्येण कृत्स्नो मे वेदः श्रुतिपथं गतः। राजाहं राजपुत्रश्च ययातिरिति विश्रुतः ॥०१-७६-१३॥
Through brahmacarya, I have learned the entire Veda. I am a king and a king's son, renowned as Yayāti. (01-76-13)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
केनास्यर्थेन नृपते इमं देशमुपागतः। जिघृक्षुर्वारिजं किञ्चिदथ वा मृगलिप्सया ॥०१-७६-१४॥
O king, for what purpose have you come to this country: wishing to take some lotus, or else with the desire to obtain a deer? (01-76-14)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
मृगलिप्सुरहं भद्रे पानीयार्थमुपागतः। बहु चाप्यनुयुक्तोऽस्मि तन्मानुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥०१-७६-१५॥
O auspicious lady, I have come seeking deer and water. I have also been questioned at length; therefore, you should permit me. (01-76-15)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
द्वाभ्यां कन्यासहस्राभ्यां दास्या शर्मिष्ठया सह। त्वदधीनास्मि भद्रं ते सखा भर्ता च मे भव ॥०१-७६-१६॥
With two thousand maidens and with Śarmiṣṭhā as my servant, I am under your authority. Blessings to you; be my friend and my husband. (01-76-16)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
विद्ध्यौशनसि भद्रं ते न त्वामर्होऽस्मि भामिनि। अविवाह्या हि राजानो देवयानि पितुस्तव ॥०१-७६-१७॥
Understand, O daughter of Uśanas: may it be well with you. I am not worthy of you, O beautiful woman. For kings are not suitable for marriage by your father, O Devayānī. (01-76-17)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
संसृष्टं ब्रह्मणा क्षत्रं क्षत्रं च ब्रह्मसंहितम्। ऋषिश्च ऋषिपुत्रश्च नाहुषाङ्ग वहस्व माम् ॥०१-७६-१८॥
Royal power is joined with spiritual power, and royal power is united with brahman. I am a seer and the son of a seer; O descendant of Nahuṣa, dear one, carry me. (01-76-18)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
एकदेहोद्भवा वर्णाश्चत्वारोऽपि वराङ्गने। पृथग्धर्माः पृथक्षौचास्तेषां तु ब्राह्मणो वरः ॥०१-७६-१९॥
Though the four varṇas have arisen from one body, O fair-limbed one, their duties and rules of purity are distinct; but among them the Brāhmaṇa is foremost. (01-76-19)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
पाणिधर्मो नाहुषायं न पुम्भिः सेवितः पुरा। तं मे त्वमग्रहीरग्रे वृणोमि त्वामहं ततः ॥०१-७६-२०॥
O descendant of Nahuṣa, this custom of taking the hand was not formerly practiced by men. You took my hand first; therefore I choose you. (01-76-20)
कथं नु मे मनस्विन्याः पाणिमन्यः पुमान्स्पृशेत्। गृहीतमृषिपुत्रेण स्वयं वाप्यृषिणा त्वया ॥०१-७६-२१॥
How could another man touch the hand of me, a high-minded woman, when it has been grasped by a seer's son, or even by you yourself, a seer? (01-76-21)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
क्रुद्धादाशीविषात्सर्पाज्ज्वलनात्सर्वतोमुखात्। दुराधर्षतरो विप्रः पुरुषेण विजानता ॥०१-७६-२२॥
A discerning man should know that a learned Brāhmaṇa is harder to assail than an enraged venomous serpent and than fire blazing in every direction. (01-76-22)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
कथमाशीविषात्सर्पाज्ज्वलनात्सर्वतोमुखात्। दुराधर्षतरो विप्र इत्यात्थ पुरुषर्षभ ॥०१-७६-२३॥
O best of men, how is a Brahmin, as you said, even more unassailable than a venomous serpent and a fire that has mouths on every side? (01-76-23)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayāti said.
एकमाशीविषो हन्ति शस्त्रेणैकश्च वध्यते। हन्ति विप्रः सराष्ट्राणि पुराण्यपि हि कोपितः ॥०१-७६-२४॥
A single poisonous serpent kills one person, and one person is killed by a weapon. But an angered Brahmin can indeed destroy even cities together with kingdoms. (01-76-24)
दुराधर्षतरो विप्रस्तस्माद्भीरु मतो मम। अतोऽदत्तां च पित्रा त्वां भद्रे न विवहाम्यहम् ॥०१-७६-२५॥
The Brāhmaṇa, therefore, is regarded by me as still harder to assail, O timid one. Therefore, O gracious lady, I will not marry you, since you have not been given by your father. (01-76-25)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
दत्तां वहस्व पित्रा मां त्वं हि राजन्वृतो मया। अयाचतो भयं नास्ति दत्तां च प्रतिगृह्णतः ॥०१-७६-२६॥
Take me, given by my father, for you, O king, have been chosen by me. There is no fear for one who has not asked, nor for one who accepts what is given. (01-76-26)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
त्वरितं देवयान्याथ प्रेषितं पितुरात्मनः। श्रुत्वैव च स राजानं दर्शयामास भार्गवः ॥०१-७६-२७॥
Then, as soon as Bhārgava heard the swift message sent by Devayānī to her own father, he appeared before the king. (01-76-27)
दृष्ट्वैव चागतं शुक्रं ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः। ववन्दे ब्राह्मणं काव्यं प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतः स्थितः ॥०१-७६-२८॥
When Yayāti, the lord of the earth, saw that Śukra had arrived, he stood with folded hands and bowed down, saluting the Brāhmaṇa Kāvya. (01-76-28)
देवयान्युवाच॥
Devayānī said.
राजायं नाहुषस्तात दुर्गे मे पाणिमग्रहीत्। नमस्ते देहि मामस्मै नान्यं लोके पतिं वृणे ॥०१-७६-२९॥
O father, this king, a descendant of Nahuṣa, took my hand in difficulty. I bow to you; give me to him, for I choose no other husband in the world. (01-76-29)
शुक्र उवाच॥
Śukra said.
वृतोऽनया पतिर्वीर सुतया त्वं ममेष्टया। गृहाणेमां मया दत्तां महिषीं नहुषात्मज ॥०१-७६-३०॥
O hero, you have been chosen as husband by this beloved daughter of mine. O son of Nahuṣa, accept this queen given by me. (01-76-30)
ययातिरुवाच॥
Yayati said.
अधर्मो न स्पृशेदेवं महान्मामिह भार्गव। वर्णसङ्करजो ब्रह्मन्निति त्वां प्रवृणोम्यहम् ॥०१-७६-३१॥
O Bhārgava, O Brahman, I choose you so that no great sin born of varṇa-mixture may touch me here in this way. (01-76-31)
शुक्र उवाच॥
Śukra said.
अधर्मात्त्वां विमुञ्चामि वरयस्व यथेप्षितम्। अस्मिन्विवाहे मा ग्लासीरहं पापं नुदामि ते ॥०१-७६-३२॥
I release you from unrighteousness; choose as you desire. Do not be distressed in this marriage; I drive away your sin. (01-76-32)
वहस्व भार्यां धर्मेण देवयानीं सुमध्यमाम्। अनया सह सम्प्रीतिमतुलां समवाप्स्यसि ॥०१-७६-३३॥
Accept the beautifully waisted Devayānī as your wife in accordance with dharma. With her, you will obtain incomparable happiness. (01-76-33)
इयं चापि कुमारी ते शर्मिष्ठा वार्षपर्वणी। सम्पूज्या सततं राजन्मा चैनां शयने ह्वयेः ॥०१-७६-३४॥
This maiden of yours, Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, should also always be treated with full honor, O king; and you must not summon her to your bed. (01-76-34)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवमुक्तो ययातिस्तु शुक्रं कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्। जगाम स्वपुरं हृष्टो अनुज्ञातो महात्मना ॥०१-७६-३५॥
Thus addressed, Yayati circumambulated Śukra and, delighted after being permitted by the great-souled one, went to his own city. (01-76-35)
