After Kacha had learned the secret knowledge from Shukra, his teacher warned him, “This wisdom will not bear fruit for you as you have said, but for whomever you teach it, the knowledge will indeed bear fruit.” With these words, Kacha, the best among the twice-born, left swiftly and made his way to the abode of the lord of the gods. Upon his arrival, the gods, led by Indra, honored Kacha alongside Brihaspati and spoke: “The wondrous deed you have done for our benefit will not diminish your fame; you shall receive your rightful share.” When Kacha had mastered the knowledge, the gods rejoiced; having learned that wisdom from him, they felt fulfilled. Then, all the gods gathered and said to Shatakratu, “Now is the time for your prowess; destroy our enemies, O Purandara.” Addressed thus, Maghavan replied, “So be it,” and set forth. In the forest, he saw maidens at play, and, assuming the form of the wind, mingled all their garments together. When the maidens emerged from the water, each took whatever garment was at hand, in various ways. Amidst this confusion, Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, unknowingly took the garment belonging to Devayani. A conflict soon arose between Devayani and Sharmishtha over the matter. Devayani confronted Sharmishtha, saying, “Why do you take my garment, you who are my disciple, O daughter of the Asura? Such conduct, lacking in propriety, will not be good for you. Your father, whether sitting or lying down, always stands before my father, praising him humbly like a bard. You are the daughter of one who begs, praises, and accepts gifts; I am the daughter of one who is praised, who gives, but does not accept. Now beg, now curse, now act with hostility, now grow angry, O beggar! Unarmed, you are agitated against one who is armed; empty-handed, you are disturbed, O supplicant. You will find someone to oppose you, for I do not consider you of account. If you speak against me from now on, O beggar—” Seeing Devayani exalted and holding tightly to her garment, Sharmishtha, driven by anger and evil intent, threw Devayani into a well and returned to her city, believing Devayani to be dead. Without looking back, she entered her home and calmed herself, following the Asura code. It was then that Yayati, son of Nahusha, arrived in that place. His horses and chariot were weary, and desiring game and thirsty, he looked around and saw a well whose water had dried up. There, he saw a maiden shining like a flame. Struck by her celestial beauty, he questioned her gently, comforting her with kind words: “Who are you, dark-skinned, with coppery nails and well-polished jeweled earrings? You seem lost in deep thought and sigh so cleverly. How did you fall into this well, overgrown with grass and creepers?” Devayani replied, “I am the daughter of that Shukra, who revives the Daityas slain by the gods. Surely he does not know what has happened to me. This is my right hand, O king, with coppery-nailed fingers. Lift me out by taking my hand, for I consider you of noble lineage. I know you are calm, powerful, and renowned. Therefore, you ought to rescue me, who have fallen into this well.” Taking her by the right hand, Yayati lifted her out of the pit, swiftly raising her from the well. The ruler of men said, “Go, noble lady, wherever you wish; you have nothing to fear.” Devayani replied, “Take me with you quickly, for you are dear to me. You have taken my hand, therefore you shall be my husband.” Yayati, born of the Kshatriya line, answered, “O noble lady, you are a Brahmin woman; union with me is not proper. You are the daughter of Kavya, the teacher of all worlds; therefore, I am also afraid today, and so, O blessed one, it is not fitting.” Devayani insisted, “If, O ruler of men, you do not desire me today according to my words, then my father will choose you for me, and thus you shall obtain me; go now.” Having taken leave of the lovely-hipped lady, Yayati returned to his city. When Nahusha’s son had departed, Devayani, flawless one, wandered elsewhere, standing weeping and leaning against a tree. As the daughter lingered long, her father, the Bhargava, overcome with affection, remembered her and spoke to her nurse: “Nurse, quickly bring Devayani, who has gone out.” The nurse hurried to find her, searching step by step wherever she went. There she saw Devayani, distressed, exhausted, and weeping, standing alone. “What has happened, dear one? Quickly tell me, your father is calling,” she said. Devayani, tormented by grief, told her nurse what Sharmishtha had done. She spoke to Ghurnika, who had come before her: “Go quickly, Ghurnika, and at once tell my father.” Ghurnika hurried to the mansion of the Asura to deliver the message.