Bhargava, the great sage Shukra, stood before King Yayati, his mind heavy with the weight of duty and dharma. “O great Bhargava,” Yayati said, his voice earnest, “let not this terrible sin of caste-mixing fall upon me. For this reason, O Brahmin, I entrust your daughter to you, that I may be free from blame.” With compassion, Shukra replied, “I release you from wrongdoing, O King. Hear now the boon you desire: in this marriage, let your heart be at peace. I remove your sin. Take Devayani, of lovely form, as your wife in righteousness. With her, may you attain incomparable happiness.” He continued, “And this maiden, Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, is also yours. Always honor her, O King, but do not summon her to your bed. You may call her in private, but do not speak to her or touch her. Take your wife—may good come to you—and you will obtain your desires.” Thus addressed, King Yayati, filled with reverence, circumambulated Shukra and, following the prescribed rites, performed the auspicious marriage. Shukra bestowed great wealth upon Yayati, along with his noble daughter Devayani, two thousand maidens, and Sharmishtha herself. Honored by Shukra and the Daityas, and permitted by the great-souled sage, Yayati, the best of kings, joyfully returned to his own city. Arriving at his city, which rivaled even the city of Indra, Yayati entered the inner chambers and settled Devayani there. With Devayani’s consent, he built a splendid house for Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, near the Ashoka grove and settled her there. Sharmishtha was attended by a thousand chosen maidservants, and was provided with fine clothing, food, and drink, and was duly honored. Together with Devayani, Yayati, the son of Nahusha, filled with supreme joy, enjoyed lasting happiness for many years. In the midst of the Ashoka grove, Devayani would gather to play with Sharmishtha in that delightful and charming place. There, having indicated Sharmishtha to the king, Devayani would return 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 to herself: “Ashoka, dispeller of sorrow, for one whose heart is afflicted by grief, let your name be true for me today 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 continued, “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 that 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 descendant of 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 the time I saw you, I have remembered you always, O excellent one. But Ushanas Kavi said to Devayani, and I understood: ‘This daughter of Vrishaparvan must not be summoned to your bed.’” Sharmishtha pleaded, “Having pleased Devayani, also support Sharmishtha. A jesting falsehood does not harm, O King, nor at the time of marriage, nor among women; in danger to life, or when all wealth is taken—these five falsehoods are said to be without sin. But if, when asked as a witness, one speaks otherwise, O King, such a liar is called fallen; yet when the mind is intent on a single purpose, a falsehood does not harm. A falsehood is not falsehood among women, in jest or marriage; and in the case of saving one’s own life—that alone attains the highest status. The king is the standard for beings; if he speaks falsely, he is destroyed. Even in great hardship, I am not able to act falsely.” She continued, “When both are assembled, O King, the husband and the friend’s husband, that is called an equal marriage; ‘You are chosen as my husband, O friend.’ I was given together with Devayani by the wise Kavya; ‘She is to be honored and supported’—you should not act falsely. You give gold, jewels, pearls, garments, and ornaments, and also cows, land, and whatever else is asked for. It is said that gifts given externally are not attached to the body, O King; to give a son is difficult, and to give oneself is also difficult. By giving one’s own body, all is given, O noble one; to each as they desire, I give accordingly.” Thus, with words both gentle and resolute, Sharmishtha revealed her longing and her claim, seeking her rightful place and happiness in the house of Yayati.