Kacha, recalling the affection Devayani had for him during the time when the Asuras repeatedly killed him, spoke to her with warmth and sincerity. He reminded her of the depth of his devotion in friendship and love, urging her not to abandon one so blameless and devoted. With reverence, he asked Devayani not to command him in matters that ought not to be commanded, expressing that she was even more venerable to him than his own teacher. Wherever Devayani had dwelt, Kacha too had dwelt, abiding within the womb of Kavya, her father, and he spoke of this connection with gentle affection. Yet, by law, he told her, she was like a sister to him, and he asked her not to speak otherwise. He assured her that he had lived happily and harbored no anger toward her. Taking leave, Kacha prepared to depart, requesting Devayani to wish him well on his journey. He asked her to remember him when the tale was retold, and to always rise with care and serve his teacher devotedly. Devayani, however, warned Kacha that if he refused her entreaty for the sake of righteousness and desire, then the knowledge he had gained would not bear fruit for him. Kacha explained that he had refused her only because she was the teacher’s daughter, not out of any fault of his own, nor was he permitted by his teacher. He invited her to curse him if she wished. He spoke with respect for ancient law, telling Devayani that she had cursed him undeservedly, out of desire rather than righteousness. Therefore, he declared, her wish would not be fulfilled in that way—no son of a sage would ever take her hand in marriage. Kacha further added that her curse would prevent his knowledge from bearing fruit for himself, but it would bear fruit for whomever he taught it. Having spoken thus, Kacha, the best among the twice-born, swiftly departed for the abode of the lord of the gods. Upon his arrival, the gods, led by Indra, honored him alongside Brihaspati, assuring him that the wondrous deed he had accomplished for their benefit would not diminish his fame, and he would partake of his share. When Kacha had mastered the knowledge, the gods rejoiced. Having learned the knowledge from him, they felt fulfilled. All the gods assembled and addressed Shatakratu, urging him that the time had come to display his prowess and destroy their enemies. Maghavan, thus addressed, replied, “So be it,” and set forth. In a forest, he saw women playing, and as the wind, he mingled all their garments together. When the maidens emerged from the water, each took whatever garment was at hand, leading to confusion. It happened that Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, unknowingly took Devayani’s garment. This sparked a conflict between Devayani and Sharmishtha. Devayani reproached Sharmishtha for taking her garment, reminding her that she was her disciple and the daughter of an Asura, and that such conduct was improper. Devayani asserted her superiority, pointing out that Sharmishtha’s father always stood before her own father, praising him like a bard, humbly and with deference. She called Sharmishtha the daughter of one who begs and accepts gifts, while she herself was the daughter of one who is praised and gives, but does not accept. Devayani taunted Sharmishtha further, telling her to beg, curse, act with hostility, and grow angry, but declared that she did not consider her of any account. She warned Sharmishtha against speaking against her in the future. Angered and seeing Devayani clinging to her garment, Sharmishtha threw her into a well and returned to her city, believing Devayani to be dead. Driven by anger, Sharmishtha went home and remained calm, following the Asura code. Meanwhile, Yayati, the son of Nahusha, arrived in that place. With his horses and chariot weary, seeking game and water, Yayati found a well whose water had dried up. There, he saw Devayani, shining like a flame, her beauty celestial. He questioned her gently, asking who she was, noting her dark complexion, coppery nails, and jeweled earrings. He wondered why she was lost in deep thought, sighing cleverly, and how she had fallen into the well overgrown with grass and creepers. Devayani revealed that she was the daughter of Shukra, the sage who revives the Daityas slain by the gods, and that her father was unaware of her predicament. She asked Yayati to lift her out by taking her right hand, for she considered him noble, calm, powerful, and renowned. Yayati took her by the right hand and lifted her out of the well. Once she was safely out, he told her to go wherever she wished, assuring her that she had nothing to fear. But Devayani replied that he must take her with him, for he was dear to her. Since he had taken her hand, she declared, he must be her husband. Yayati, born of the Kshatriya line, replied respectfully that she was a Brahmin woman, and therefore union with him was not proper.