Devayani, accompanied by a thousand maidservants and her companion Sharmishtha, arrived at that tranquil place, wandering freely and at ease. Together with her joyful attendants, she reveled in the delights of the forest, drinking honeyed spring wine and laughing amid the gentle shade. They feasted on a variety of delicacies, savoring luscious fruits, while fate brought King Yayati once more into that very region, for he had come, bow in hand, seeking game. Weary from his exertions and parched with thirst, the king sought water and, as he approached, beheld a remarkable sight: Devayani, Sharmishtha, and their many maidens, radiant and carefree. He saw them drinking and sporting, adorned with divine ornaments, seated upon a splendid seat encrusted with every manner of jewel. Among them, Devayani shone with a pure and gentle smile. Yayati's gaze lingered on the best of maidens, whose beauty was unmatched, sitting slightly apart from her golden seat. He also noticed Sharmishtha, the blameless daughter of the lord of the Asuras, her lovely smile serene, as she sat massaging the feet of Devayani, the Brahmin maiden. The air was filled with music and laughter as the women sang, danced, and played their instruments. But as soon as they saw the illustrious Yayati, they grew bashful and stood with heads bowed in modesty. Addressing Devayani, Yayati asked, "Surrounded by two thousand maidens, with two girls beside you, I wish to know, O beautiful one, your lineage and names." Devayani replied, "Listen, O king, and I will tell you. Know me as the daughter of Shukra, preceptor of the Asuras. This is my companion and maid, Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, lord of the Danavas. Wherever I go, she follows." Yayati, his curiosity deepening, asked, "But how is it that your companion, this beautiful maiden, is your maid, O lovely-browed one, daughter of the lord of the Asuras? I am greatly astonished. 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, and adorned with all auspicious marks, this daughter of the Asura lord is decked in every ornament. Surely, by fate or perhaps by ascetic power, she has been brought low; otherwise, a maiden of such flawless limbs would not be a maid here. None among your companions matches her beauty. Surely, due to some misdeed in the past, she has become your maid—how astonishing!" Devayani replied with dignity, "All indeed, O best of men, follow the prescribed order. Considering what is enjoined by ordinance, do not engage in strange discussions. You appear as a king in your bearing and dress, 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 answered, "Through brahmacharya I have mastered the entire Veda by the path of hearing. I am a king, the son of a king, renowned as Yayati." Devayani then 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 replied, "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 to drink." Devayani, her heart stirred, spoke earnestly, "With two thousand maidens and the attendant Sharmishtha, I am under your authority. May good befall you—be my friend and husband." Upon seeing the daughter of the Asura lord, Yayati's mind was drawn to her, and he thought, "Sharmishtha shall be my queen," and spoke accordingly. But Devayani said, "Know this, O daughter of Ushanas, may good be yours: 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 replied, "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, O fair-limbed one, are all born from one body; they have distinct duties and distinct purities, but among them the Brahmin is the highest." She continued, "This custom of taking the hand, O descendant of Nahusha, 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." Yayati asked, "How is a Brahmin more difficult to withstand than a venomous serpent or fire with mouths on all sides, O best of men, as you have said?" Devayani explained, "A single serpent kills one, and a weapon slays but one; but an enraged Brahmin can destroy entire kingdoms and even ancient cities. Therefore, I consider a Brahmin to be more difficult to withstand, and so, O gentle one, my father did not give you to me, and I do not marry you. Take her whom my father has given, O king, for I have chosen you; there is no danger for one who seeks or receives what is given." She then said, "Wait a moment, O King; I will send word to my father. Go quickly, nurse, and bring him here at once, as if it were a sacred rite. Inform Nahusha's son at once that I have chosen him in the svayamvara." The nurse, following Devayani's instruction, went promptly and conveyed everything to Shukra as it had happened. On hearing her words, the sage Bhargava brought King Yayati before him. Yayati, lord of the earth, seeing Shukra arrive, greeted the Brahmin Kavya with joined palms, standing respectfully bowed. Devayani addressed her father, "O father, this king Nahusha's son has taken my hand in a place where none before has done so. By this, he has made me his, granting me safety. Salutations to you—give me to him; in this world, I choose no other husband." She added, "One law is dear, another is right; but Nahusha's son has been chosen as husband. Because of Kacha's curse, nothing else should happen." Shukra replied, "O hero, you have been chosen by my beloved daughter as her husband. If I myself take her hand, it would be a great fault for a Brahmin due to mixing of castes. Therefore, O son of Nahusha, accept her as your queen, given by me.