As King Yayati stood in the sylvan retreat, he was accompanied by two striking maidens. One of them, Devayani, introduced the other with gentle pride: “This is my companion and maid, Sharmishtha. Wherever I go, she follows me. She is the daughter of Vrishaparvan, the lord of the Danavas.” Yayati, his curiosity piqued, looked closely at Sharmishtha and asked, “How is it that this beautiful maiden, your companion, serves as your maid, O lovely-browed one? She is the daughter of the Asura king, and I am greatly curious about this.” He gazed at Sharmishtha in wonder. “She is 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 all auspicious marks, and decked in every ornament, this daughter of the lord of the Asuras shines.” Yayati pondered, “Surely, by fate or perhaps by the power of asceticism, O lovely-browed one, she has been brought to this humble station; otherwise, with her flawless limbs, she would never be a maid here. Among all your companions, none match her beauty. Surely, due to some misdeed in the past, she has become your maid—how astonishing!” Devayani, composed and wise, replied, “O best of men, all indeed follow the prescribed order. Considering what is enjoined by ordinance, do not engage in strange discussions.” Turning her gaze to Yayati, she 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 answered with dignity, “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 go.” But Devayani, with sincerity and resolve, said, “With two thousand maidens and the attendant Sharmishtha, I am under your authority. May good befall you—be my friend and husband.” Yayati, his mind drawn to Sharmishtha, thought to himself, “Seeing the daughter of the Asura lord, with my mind attached to her, I thought, ‘Sharmishtha shall be my queen,’” and he spoke accordingly. But Devayani gently corrected him: “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, determined, continued, “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 explained her choice, “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?” She warned, “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, seeking understanding, 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 replied, “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.” She concluded, “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. 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.” At Devayani’s command, her nurse hurried away and conveyed everything faithfully to her father. As soon as he heard, the sage Bhargava (Shukra) brought the king before him. Seeing Shukra arrive, Yayati, lord of the earth, greeted the Brahmin Kavya with joined palms, standing respectfully and bowed. Devayani spoke to 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 continued, “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 addressed Yayati, “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.” Yayati, mindful of righteousness, replied, “O great Bhargava, let not this great sin of caste-mixing touch me. O Brahmin, for this reason I give her to you.” Shukra reassured him, “I release you from wrongdoing—hear the boon you desire. In this marriage, do not be disheartened; I remove your sin. Take Devayani, of lovely form, as your wife in righteousness. With her, attain incomparable happiness. And this maiden, Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, is also yours. Always honor her, O King, but do not summon her to your bed. Call her in private, but do not speak to her or touch her. Take your wife—may good be yours—and you will obtain your desires.” Thus addressed, Yayati circumambulated Shukra and, following the prescribed rites, performed the auspicious marriage. He received great wealth from Shukra and the noble Devayani, along with two thousand maidens and Sharmishtha herself. Honored by Shukra and the Daityas, the best of kings, permitted by the great-souled one, joyfully returned to his own city. Upon reaching his city, which rivaled Indra’s own, Yayati entered his inner chambers and settled Devayani there. With Devayani’s consent, he built a house for Vrishaparvan’s daughter, Sharmishtha, near the Ashoka grove and settled her there, fulfilling all that had been ordained.