Sharmishtha, the noble daughter of Vrishaparvan, was attended by a thousand carefully chosen maidservants, and was provided with fine clothing, delicious food, and refreshing drink. She was honored in every way befitting her station. Together with Devayani, the son of Nahusha—Yayati—filled with supreme joy, enjoyed lasting happiness for many years. In the midst of the Ashoka grove, Devayani would gather, having played with Sharmishtha in that delightful and charming place. There, Devayani indicated Sharmishtha to the king, and then went home with him; thus, with affection, she rejoiced for a long time. Yayati spent many years joyfully and happily in the divine grove. When her time arrived, Devayani, the excellent woman, conceived and gave birth to a son. After a thousand years had passed, Sharmishtha, now grown into youth, began to reflect upon her own season. Pure and bathed, adorned with all ornaments, Sharmishtha grasped a branch of the Ashoka tree, which was covered with splendid blossoms. Gazing at her face in a mirror, longing for her husband's presence, overcome by grief and delusion, she spoke: “O Ashoka, dispeller of sorrow, for one whose heart is afflicted today, let your name be true for me by granting me the sight of my beloved.” Again she spoke: “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? 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, he 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 him: “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.’” 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. Having said this, O King, you proclaimed it in the city three times; what you declared, O King, was not false or vainly proclaimed. Make it true, O King, as Vaisravana does.” Yayati, moved by her words, replied, “It is my vow to give to those who ask; and you are asking me—tell me, what shall I do for you? Whether it is wealth, or anything else, or even a kingdom, O fair-smiling one—” Sharmishtha answered, “I choose nothing else, desiring a son; nothing is greater than a son. May I, having a child from you, practice the highest dharma in the world. There are three who are without wealth, O King: a wife, a servant, and a son; whatever they obtain belongs to the one to whom they belong. Women were created by the Self-born for the sake of sons and the support of husbands; a maiden without a husband, or a woman without a child—their birth is in vain in the world, and they have no destiny. I am the companion of Devayani, and subject to you, O descendant of Bhrigu; both she and I, O King, are to be cherished by you—cherish me.” Thus addressed, the king recognized the truth in her words, honored Sharmishtha, and upheld righteousness. He met with Sharmishtha, fulfilled his desire with her, and after honoring each other, the two departed as they had come. In that union, the fair-browed, lovely-smiling Sharmishtha first conceived from that best of kings.