01.076
Vaiśampāyana said.
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)
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)
All of them were playing delightedly, drinking sweet Mādhavī wine, eating various foods, and biting into fruits. (01-76-3)
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)
He saw Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and those women, who were drinking, playing, and adorned with divine ornaments. (01-76-5)
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)
Yayāti said.
Surrounded by two thousand maidens, you two maidens: I ask the lineage and the names of you both. (01-76-7)
Devayānī said.
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)
This Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, lord of the Dānavas, is also my friend and maidservant; she goes wherever I am. (01-76-9)
Yayāti said.
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)
Devayānī said.
Everyone, O tiger among men, follows what is ordained. Considering it to be fixed by ordinance, do not invent varied stories. (01-76-11)
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)
Yayāti said.
Through brahmacarya, I have learned the entire Veda. I am a king and a king's son, renowned as Yayāti. (01-76-13)
Devayānī said.
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)
Yayāti said.
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)
Devayānī said.
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)
Yayāti said.
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)
Devayānī said.
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)
Yayāti said.
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)
Devayānī said.
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)
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)
Yayāti said.
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)
Devayānī said.
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)
Yayāti said.
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)
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)
Devayānī said.
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)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, as soon as Bhārgava heard the swift message sent by Devayānī to her own father, he appeared before the king. (01-76-27)
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)
Devayānī said.
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)
Śukra said.
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)
Yayati said.
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)
Śukra said.
I release you from unrighteousness; choose as you desire. Do not be distressed in this marriage; I drive away your sin. (01-76-32)
Accept the beautifully waisted Devayānī as your wife in accordance with dharma. With her, you will obtain incomparable happiness. (01-76-33)
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)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus addressed, Yayati circumambulated Śukra and, delighted after being permitted by the great-souled one, went to his own city. (01-76-35)
