Desiring to hunt, King Yayati came to a certain place seeking water. Addressing Devayani gently, he said, “O gentle one, though you have questioned me in many ways, permit me now, for I am here seeking water.” He continued, “With two thousand maidens and Sharmishtha, my attendant, I am under your authority. May good befall you—be my friend and husband.” Yayati then confessed his heart’s inclination. Upon seeing Sharmishtha, the daughter of the Asura lord, his mind became attached to her. He thought, “Sharmishtha shall be my queen,” and spoke accordingly. Yet, Yayati addressed Devayani with honesty, saying, “Know this, O daughter of Ushanas, may good be yours: I am not worthy of you, O fair one. For kings are not permitted to marry Devayani, your father’s daughter.” He explained further, “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 and wise, 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, O fair-limbed one, are all born from one body; they have distinct duties and purities, but among them the Brahmin is the highest.” She continued, “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?” With reverence, Devayani spoke of the Brahmin’s power, “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, curious, 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.” Then Devayani asked Yayati to wait, “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 instructions, promptly conveyed everything to her father just as it was. Upon hearing the news, the sage Bhargava, Shukra, brought Yayati before him. Yayati, lord of the earth, greeted the Brahmin Kavya with joined palms, standing respectfully and 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. 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, seeking 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 assured 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.” He added, “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 sage, joyfully returned to his own city. Upon reaching his city, which rivaled Indra’s own, Yayati entered the inner chambers and settled Devayani there. With Devayani’s consent, he built a house for Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, near the Ashoka grove and settled her there. Sharmishtha, attended by a thousand chosen maidservants, was provided with clothing, food, and drink, and was duly honored. Together with Devayani, the son of Nahusha, filled with supreme joy, enjoyed lasting happiness for many years. In the midst of the Ashoka grove, Devayani gathered together, having played with Sharmishtha in that delightful and charming place. There, having indicated Sharmishtha to the king, Devayani went home with him; and in this way, with affection, she rejoiced for a long time. Yayati spent many years joyfully and happily in the divine grove. When her season arrived, Devayani, the excellent woman, first conceived and gave birth to a son. After a thousand years had passed, Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, attained youth and began to reflect upon her own season. Pure and bathed, adorned with all ornaments, Sharmishtha grasped a branch of the Ashoka tree, covered with clusters of splendid blossoms. Gazing at her face in a mirror, longing for her husband’s presence, overcome by grief and delusion, she spoke, “Ashoka, dispeller of sorrow, for one whose heart is afflicted by grief, today let your name be true for me by granting me the sight of my beloved.