At Devayani’s urging, the Brahmin was preparing to abandon his disciples, for she wished something that evening, and her desire was to be fulfilled without delay. “Whatever she desires, I shall do today,” he declared. “If Shukra calls me for Devayani’s sake, let neither Shukra nor Devayani be blamed because of me.” Thus, by her father’s command, Devayani was chosen, and she departed swiftly from the splendid palace, accompanied by a thousand maidens, all riding in palanquins. Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, pledged herself as Devayani’s attendant, saying, “With a thousand maidservants, I shall serve you. Wherever your father gives you, I will follow.” But Devayani, proud of her lineage, replied, “I am the daughter of one who is praised, who asks, who receives; how can the daughter of one who is praised become a maidservant?” Yet Sharmishtha insisted, “Whoever brings happiness to afflicted kin in any way, for that reason I shall follow you wherever your father gives you.” When Sharmishtha promised servitude, Devayani spoke to her father: “I shall enter the city, father; I am satisfied, O best of Brahmins. Your knowledge is unfailing, your power of learning is great.” Hearing his daughter’s words, Shukra, the illustrious sage, entered the city, delighted and honored with every kind of gift. Some time passed, and Devayani, that splendid maiden, returned to the very forest where events had unfolded before. She came with a thousand maidservants and Sharmishtha, wandering as she pleased. Together with her joyful companions, Devayani played, delighting in honeyed spring wine. They ate various delicacies and fruits, enjoying themselves. By chance, King Yayati, desiring to hunt, entered that region again. Weary and seeking water, he arrived at the same place and saw Devayani, Sharmishtha, and their maidens. He observed them drinking and sporting, adorned with divine ornaments, seated on a splendid seat decorated with jewels. Devayani, with her pure smile, sat among them. Among those women, Yayati noticed the incomparable beauty of Sharmishtha, slightly apart from her golden seat. He also saw Sharmishtha, the blameless daughter of the lord of the Asuras, massaging Devayani’s feet. The maidens were singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Upon seeing the illustrious Yayati, they stood bashfully with lowered heads. Yayati, surrounded by two thousand maidens and two girls beside him, asked, “O beautiful one, what is your lineage and your names?” Devayani replied, “I will tell you—listen, O king. I am the daughter of Shukra, preceptor of the Asuras. This is my companion and maid; wherever I go, she follows. She is Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, lord of the Danavas.” Yayati was curious: “But how is your companion, this beautiful maiden, your maid, O lovely-browed one, daughter of the lord of the Asuras? I am greatly curious. Neither goddess, nor Gandharvi, nor Yakshi, nor Kinnari—never before have I seen a woman of such form upon the earth. With eyes like lotus petals, radiant as Shri herself, adorned with auspicious marks, this daughter of the lord of the Asuras is decked in every ornament. Surely, by fate or ascetic power, she has been brought low; otherwise, with her flawless limbs, she would not be a maid here. In beauty, none of yours matches hers; surely, due to some misdeed in the past, she has become your maid—how astonishing!” Devayani answered, “All indeed, O best of men, follow the prescribed order; considering what is enjoined by ordinance, do not engage in strange discussions.” Yayati then asked, “You have the appearance and attire of a king, yet you speak with the voice of a Brahmin; tell me, who are you, where do you come from, and whose son are you?” Yayati replied, “Through brahmacharya I have mastered the entire Veda along the path of hearing; I am a king, the son of a king, renowned as Yayati.” Devayani inquired, “For what purpose, O king, have you come to this place? Is it to seize some water, or perhaps with the desire to hunt?” Yayati answered, “Desiring to hunt, O gentle one, I have come here for water. Though you have questioned me in many ways, you should now permit me.” Devayani then spoke, “With two thousand maidens and the attendant Sharmishtha, I am under your authority; may good befall you—be my friend and husband.” Yayati, seeing the daughter of the Asura lord, felt his mind draw toward her and thought, “Sharmishtha shall be my queen,” and spoke, “Know this, O daughter of Ushanas: I am not worthy of you, O fair one; for kings are not to marry Devayani, your father’s daughter. Another’s wife, one’s own sister, a woman of the same lineage, a fallen woman, a daughter-in-law, an inferior, a beggar, one who is unwell—these are declared by the wise to be unapproachable.” Devayani responded, “Brahminhood is joined with royalty, and royalty with Brahminhood; there is no essential difference between them when each abides in its own place. O son of Nahusha, whether sage or sage’s son, accept me. The four classes are all born from one body; they have distinct duties and purities, but among them the Brahmin is the highest. This custom of taking the hand was not practiced by men before; but you took my hand first, and so I choose you. How could any other man touch the hand of one like me, when it has been taken by a sage’s son, or even by you, a sage yourself? A Brahmin should be regarded by the wise as more difficult to withstand than a wrathful serpent full of poison, or fire with mouths on all sides.” Thus, the conversation unfolded between Devayani, Sharmishtha, and King Yayati, revealing the intricacies of lineage, duty, and the bonds of fate.