After spending a hundred years in devoted study and service to his teacher Shukra, Kacha, the illustrious grandson of the sage Angiras, was finally granted leave to return to the abode of the gods. As he prepared to depart, Devayani, the daughter of Shukra, approached him with heartfelt words. She praised Kacha for his noble conduct, lineage, knowledge, austerity, and self-restraint, saying he shone brightly in all these virtues. She reminded him that just as her grandfather Angiras was honored and renowned, so too was her own father, Brihaspati, esteemed and worthy of worship. With this in mind, she urged Kacha to understand the sincerity of her words, for she too had acted toward him with steadfastness in vows and discipline. Devayani confessed her devotion, declaring that Kacha, accomplished in learning, ought to accept her and take her hand in marriage according to the prescribed rites. She expressed that, just as he revered his father, she herself held Kacha in even greater esteem. She revealed that she was dearer than life itself to the great-souled descendant of Bhrigu, and as the teacher’s daughter, she was always worthy of his reverence according to righteousness. Kacha, however, gently replied that just as he always honored his teacher Shukra, so too did he honor Devayani. He insisted that she should not speak to him in this way, for as the daughter of his teacher, she was deserving of his respect and honor. He explained that their relationship was like that of siblings: he was the son of her father’s student, and so, by law, she was his sister. He recalled the affection she had shown him, especially when the Asuras had repeatedly killed him, and acknowledged her unwavering devotion in friendship and love. Yet, he could not accept her proposal, for righteousness forbade it. Kacha entreated Devayani not to command him against what was proper, and assured her that she was even more venerable to him than his own teacher. He reminded her that wherever she had dwelt, he too had dwelt, even abiding in the womb of Kavya, her father. He asked her not to speak of marriage, for he bore her no anger and had always been happy in her company. With gentle firmness, Kacha took his leave, asking Devayani to wish him well and to remember him righteously when tales of their story were retold. He urged her to continue to serve his teacher with devotion and care. Devayani, wounded by his refusal, declared that if Kacha would not accept her for the sake of righteousness and desire, then the knowledge he had gained would never bear fruit for him. Kacha replied that he had refused her only because she was his teacher’s daughter and not out of any fault of hers; nor had he been permitted by his teacher to marry her. He told her that she was free to curse him as she wished. Kacha then explained that, speaking in accordance with the ancient law, he had been cursed by her unjustly, out of desire and not in accordance with righteousness. Therefore, he declared, her desire would not be fulfilled: no son of a sage would ever take her hand in marriage. As for the knowledge, it would not bear fruit for him directly, but would do so for anyone to whom he taught it. Having spoken thus, Kacha, the best of the twice-born, departed swiftly for the dwelling of the gods. Upon his arrival, the gods, led by Indra, honored him together with Brihaspati and praised the wondrous deeds he had performed for their benefit, assuring him that his fame would remain undiminished and that he would share in their rewards. When Kacha had mastered the knowledge, the gods rejoiced. Having learned this sacred wisdom from him, they were fulfilled and satisfied. Then all the gods assembled and said to Shatakratu, Indra, “Now is the time for your prowess; destroy the enemies, O Purandara.” Indra agreed and set forth, soon coming upon a group of maidens playing in a forest as enchanting as Chaitraratha. Taking the form of the wind, Indra mischievously mingled all the garments of the maidens together. When the maidens emerged from the water, each hastily took whatever garment was at hand. In the confusion, Sharmishtha, daughter of the Asura king Vrishaparvan, unknowingly took the garment belonging to Devayani. A quarrel arose between Devayani and Sharmishtha over the garment. Devayani reproached Sharmishtha, reminding her that she was her disciple and the daughter of an Asura, and that such conduct was improper. She taunted Sharmishtha, saying that her father always stood before Devayani’s father, praising him humbly like a bard, and that Sharmishtha was the daughter of one who begged and accepted gifts, while she herself was the daughter of one who was praised and who gave but never accepted. Devayani’s words stung Sharmishtha, who retorted with anger, calling Devayani a beggar and threatening her. In a fit of rage, Sharmishtha seized Devayani, who clung to her garment, and threw her into a dry well, convinced that she had left her for dead. Without a backward glance, driven by anger, Sharmishtha returned to her city and composed herself according to the ways of the Asuras. Meanwhile, Yayati, the son of Nahusha, happened to pass through that forest. His horses and chariot were weary, and he himself was thirsty and in search of game. Looking about, he saw a well whose water had dried up. There, to his astonishment, he beheld a maiden shining with the radiance of a flame. Struck by her celestial beauty, Yayati approached the well and questioned the girl within.