Devayani, seeking clarity, asked, “O best of men, you have said that a Brahmin is more difficult to withstand than a venomous serpent or fire with mouths on all sides—how is this so?” The answer came: “A single serpent kills but one, and a weapon slays only one; but an enraged Brahmin can destroy entire kingdoms, even ancient cities. Thus, a Brahmin is indeed more difficult to withstand. That is why, O gentle one, my father did not give you to me, and I do not marry you.” Yet Devayani continued, “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 she 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 instructions, delivered her message faithfully to her father. Upon hearing it, the sage Bhargava Shukra brought King Yayati before him. Yayati, lord of the earth, greeted the Brahmin Kavya with joined palms, bowing respectfully. 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 replied, “O hero, my beloved daughter has chosen you 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 responded, “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. 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. Yayati received great wealth from Shukra, the noble Devayani, two thousand maidens, and Sharmishtha herself. Honored by Shukra and the Daityas, permitted by the great-souled one, Yayati, the best of kings, joyfully returned to his own city. Upon reaching his city, which rivaled the city of Indra, Yayati entered the 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. 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 her 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 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.” Again she said, “My season has come, yet I have no chosen husband. What has come to me? What should I do? Or, by doing what might I find happiness?” She lamented, “Devayani has borne a child; I have reached youth in vain. As she chose her husband, so too do I choose him. It is my firm resolve that the king should grant me the fruit of a son; perhaps now that righteous one will come to me in secret. Bound by her hair, I ask the king for a husband equal to myself. Seeing Devayani’s son again and again, desire arises in me while he plays in her inner chambers, and sometimes I catch a glimpse.” At that moment, the king happened to come out and, near the Ashoka grove, found Sharmishtha standing there. Seeing him alone in a secluded place, Sharmishtha, with a lovely smile, approached, made an offering with joined palms, and spoke to the king: “In the house of Soma, Indra, Vishnu, Yama, Varuna, or yours, O Nahusha, who is worthy to behold a woman? By beauty, lineage, and character, O king, you have always known me; therefore, I beseech you, grant me my season, O lord of men.” Yayati replied, “I know you to be endowed with virtue, a blameless daughter of the Daityas; and in your form I do not see even a needle-point of fault. From that time, having seen you, I remember you always, O excellent one. Ushanas Kavi said to Devayani when I understood: ‘This daughter of Vrishaparvan must not be summoned to your bed.