01.078
Vaiśampāyana said.
O Bhārata, Devayānī of pure smile, afflicted by sorrow, heard that a son had been born and then thought about Śarmiṣṭhā. (01-78-1)
Having approached Śarmiṣṭhā, Devayānī said this: "What is this wrongful deed you have done, O fair-browed one, out of greed for desire?" (01-78-2)
Śarmiṣṭhā said.
A certain righteous sage, a master of the Veda, came to me. I asked that giver of boons for a wish in accordance with dharma. (01-78-3)
O pure-smiling one, I do not act from unrighteous desire. This child is mine from that sage; thus I tell you the truth. (01-78-4)
Devayānī said.
Good, O timid one, if that is true; then he is recognized as a twice-born. I wish to know that twice-born man by his gotra, name, and lineage. (01-78-5)
Śarmiṣṭhā said.
Seeing him shining with vigor and splendor like the sun, I had no power to question him, O pure-smiling one. (01-78-6)
Devayānī said.
If this is so, O Śarmiṣṭhā, I have no anger, since you have obtained offspring from an eldest and best twice-born man. (01-78-7)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having spoken thus to one another and laughed together, Bhārgavī went home, knowing it indeed to be true. (01-78-8)
King Yayāti begot two sons by Devayānī: Yadu and Turvasu, who were like another pair of Śakra and Viṣṇu. (01-78-9)
Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, bore three sons from that very royal sage: Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru. (01-78-10)
Then, at a certain time, O king, the bright-smiling Devayānī went out to the great forest accompanied by Yayāti. (01-78-11)
Then, there, she saw boys who looked divine, playing quite freely; astonished, she said this. (01-78-12)
O king, whose are these auspicious boys, like sons of gods? In brilliance and appearance, I think they resemble you. (01-78-13)
After thus questioning the king, he then questioned the princes: What is the name and lineage of your Brahmin father, dear boys? Tell me the truth, for I wish to hear about him. (01-78-14)
The boys pointed out that very best of kings with their index finger, and also told her that Śarmiṣṭhā was their mother. (01-78-15)
Having said this, they all approached the king. But the king did not welcome them then in Devayānī's presence. Then the children went crying to Śarmiṣṭhā. (01-78-16)
But when the queen saw the affection of those children toward the king and understood the truth, she said this to Śarmiṣṭhā. (01-78-17)
Being dependent on me, why did you do something displeasing to me? Having adopted that very law of the demons, do you not fear? (01-78-18)
Śarmiṣṭhā said.
What has been said, that he is indeed a sage, is true, O charming-smiling one. Since I act according to justice and dharma, I do not fear you. (01-78-19)
When you chose the king, I too chose him then. For by dharma, O beautiful one, a friend's husband becomes a husband. (01-78-20)
You are worthy of honor to me, respected, senior, excellent, and a Brāhmaṇī. Yet the royal sage is even more worthy of honor to me than you; why do you not know that? (01-78-21)
Vaiśampāyana said.
After hearing her words, Devayānī said this: O king, I will not stay here today; you have done something displeasing to me. (01-78-22)
Seeing Śyāmā suddenly rise up, tearful-eyed and quickly setting out to Kāvya’s presence, he was then distressed. (01-78-23)
The agitated king followed behind, trying to console her, but she, her eyes reddened with anger, did not turn back. (01-78-24)
The lovely-eyed woman, however, said nothing to the king and soon arrived at the presence of Kāvya Uśanas. (01-78-25)
She, seeing her father, saluted him and stood before him. Then Yayāti honored the Bhārgava. (01-78-26)
Devayānī said.
Righteousness has been overcome by unrighteousness; a reversal of lower and higher has taken place. I have been wronged by Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan. (01-78-27)
Three sons were begotten in her by this king Yayāti. But I, unfortunate woman, have two sons, dear one, I tell you. (01-78-28)
This king is renowned as a knower of dharma, O scion of Bhṛgu, and he has overstepped the bounds, O Kāvya; I tell you this. (01-78-29)
Śukra said.
Though you are a knower of dharma, O great king, you have done a pleasing act of unrighteousness. Therefore, unconquerable old age will soon overpower you. (01-78-30)
Yayāti said.
O blessed one, this righteous act was done by me, with no other intention, for the daughter of the lord of the Dānavas who was requesting her fertile period. (01-78-31)
If a chosen man does not grant the fertile time to a woman who asks for it, O Brahman, he is called an embryo-slayer here by the expounders of sacred knowledge. (01-78-32)
A man who, when solicited in private, does not approach a willing woman who may lawfully be approached, is said by the wise to be an embryo-killer in matters of dharma. (01-78-33)
Having considered these reasons, O scion of Bhṛgu, I was disturbed by fear of adharma and approached Śarmiṣṭhā. (01-78-34)
Śukra said.
Surely I should be carefully examined by you; you are dependent on me, O king. In matters of dharma, false conduct becomes theft, O descendant of Nahuṣa. (01-78-35)
Vaiśampāyana said.
When the angry Uśanas cursed him, Yayāti, the son of Nahuṣa, at once gave up his youth and fell into old age. (01-78-36)
Yayāti said.
I am not yet satisfied with the youth I have enjoyed with Devayānī, O descendant of Bhṛgu. Grant me a favor, O Brāhmaṇa: may this old age not enter me. (01-78-37)
Śukra said.
I am not speaking falsely: you have attained old age, O king. But if you wish, transfer this old age to someone else. (01-78-38)
Yayāti said.
The son who gives me his youth will become a sharer in the kingdom, merit, and fame, O Brahman; may Your Honour approve that. (01-78-39)
Śukra said.
You will transfer old age as you wish, O son of Nahuṣa. Having contemplated me with sincere feeling, you will not incur sin. (01-78-40)
Your son, who will become king, will give his youth to you. He will be long-lived, renowned, and likewise blessed with many children. (01-78-41)
