Sharmishtha, standing alone in her chamber, was troubled in heart. Her youth had blossomed, yet she had no husband of her own choosing. She pondered, “My season has come, but I have no chosen husband. What has happened to me? What should I do? Or, by what means might I find happiness?” She thought of Devayani, who had already borne a child, while she herself had come of age in vain. “As Devayani chose her own husband, so too shall I choose mine,” she resolved. With a firm heart, Sharmishtha decided, “The king must grant me the fruit of a son. Perhaps the righteous one will come to me in secret.” Bound by her station and her fate, she considered her next steps. “With my hair unbound, I will ask the king for a husband worthy of me. Whenever I see Devayani’s son playing in her inner chambers, desire arises within me, and sometimes, I catch a glimpse of him.” At that time, King Yayati happened to emerge near the Ashoka grove, and there he found Sharmishtha standing alone. Seeing him by himself, Sharmishtha approached with a gentle smile, her palms joined in supplication, and spoke reverently to the king. “O King,” she asked, “in the house of Soma, Indra, Vishnu, Yama, Varuna, or yours, O descendant of Nahusha, who is worthy to behold a woman?” She continued, “You know me, O king, by my beauty, lineage, and character. Therefore, I beseech you—grant me my season, O lord of men.” King Yayati replied, “I know you to be virtuous, a blameless daughter of the Daityas. In your form, I see not even the smallest fault.” He confessed, “From the first time I saw you, I have remembered you always, O excellent one. Yet Ushanas Kavi spoke to Devayani, saying, ‘This daughter of Vrishaparvan must not be summoned to your bed.’” Still, he reflected, “Having pleased Devayani, you must also support Sharmishtha.” Sharmishtha, wise in her words, added, “A jesting falsehood does no harm, O king—not at the time of marriage, nor among women, nor in danger to life, nor when all wealth is taken; these five falsehoods are said to be without sin.” She continued, “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. Among women, in jest or marriage, or in the case of saving one’s own life—a falsehood is not falsehood, and that alone attains the highest status.” Yayati replied solemnly, “The king is the standard for all beings. If he speaks falsely, he is destroyed. Even in great hardship, I am not able to act falsely.” Sharmishtha explained, “When both are assembled—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, who said, ‘She is to be honored and supported.’ You should not act falsely.” She reminded him, “You give gold, jewels, pearls, garments, ornaments, cows, land, and whatever else is asked for. Yet gifts given externally are not attached to the body. 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.” She pressed her plea, “Having said this, O king, you proclaimed it in the city three times. What you declared was not false or vainly proclaimed. Make it true, O king, as Vaisravana does.” Yayati responded, “It is my vow to give to those who ask. 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—” But Sharmishtha was resolute. “I choose nothing else,” she said. “Desiring a son, I seek nothing greater. May I, having a child from you, practice the highest dharma in the world.” She explained, “There are three 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.” Finally, she appealed, “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, King Yayati recognized the truth in her words. He honored Sharmishtha and established righteousness. He united with her, fulfilling her desire, and after honoring each other, they parted as they had come. From that union, the fair-browed, lovely-smiling Sharmishtha first conceived by that best of kings. In due time, at the proper hour for the sacrifice, she bore a son with eyes like lotuses, resembling one born of the gods. At that auspicious conjunction of stars, under the bright and sacred lunar mansion, the emperor rejoiced together with Sharmishtha. She became his wife, radiant and prosperous as the goddess of fortune among people. Yet for Yayati, Devayani became as a fierce serpent. Just as rain is for crops, or nectar for the gods, so was Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan, to the king. Thinking thus in his mind, he began to neglect Devayani. When Devayani heard that a son had been born, her pure smile faded, and sorrow overtook her. She began to ponder deeply about Sharmishtha. Approaching her, Devayani spoke these words: “A certain sage, righteous and learned in the Vedas, came to me. I asked him for a boon, in accordance with dharma. Desiring offspring, I chose him, O lovely-smiling one. I do not act out of desire in any improper way, O pure-smiling one; therefore, my child is from the sage—this I truly tell you.” Sharmishtha replied, “If this is so, O timid one, then let that brahmin be known. I wish to know his lineage, name, and family.” Devayani answered, “Seeing him blazing with ascetic power and energy like the sun, O pure-smiling one, I did not have the strength to question him.” Thus, the desires and destinies of Sharmishtha and Devayani unfolded, each seeking fulfillment in her own way, under the watchful eyes of the king and the gods.