Vṛṣaparvan, the mighty king of the Asuras, stood before Śukra, the revered sage, his heart heavy with concern for his beloved daughter, Devayānī. Addressing the assembled Asuras, he declared, “Go to the ocean, or depart to the far directions, O Asuras. I cannot bear anything unpleasant for my daughter, for she is most dear to me.” His devotion was evident as he continued, “Let Devayānī be appeased, for my very life depends on her. I am the provider of her welfare, just as Bṛhaspati is for Indra.” To ensure Devayānī’s happiness, Vṛṣaparvan offered everything at his disposal. “Whatever wealth exists on earth belonging to the lords of the Asuras—be it elephants, chariots, or horses—O Bhārgava, you are the master of that, as am I. Whatever treasure there is belonging to the Daityas, O great Asura, I am the master of that—if only Devayānī may be appeased.” Moved by the king’s earnestness, Śukra hastened to Devayānī, accompanied by the king, and said gently, “O fortunate one, your request has been granted.” Devayānī, however, wished to hear this assurance from the king himself. “If you are indeed the lord, O Bhārgava, of the king’s wealth, I do not know that; let the king himself tell me so.” Vṛṣaparvan, eager to fulfill her wishes, promised, “O Devayānī of pure smile, whatever desire you express, I shall grant it to you, even if it be exceedingly difficult to obtain.” Devayānī replied, “With a thousand maidservants, I desire Śarmiṣṭhā as my slave; she shall follow me wherever my father gives me.” At once, Vṛṣaparvan instructed the nurse, “Rise, nurse, go and quickly bring Śarmiṣṭhā; let Devayānī do whatever she desires.” The nurse went to Śarmiṣṭhā and said, “Rise, O blessed Śarmiṣṭhā, bring happiness to your kin. The Brāhmaṇa, urged by Devayānī, is abandoning his disciples; whatever desire she has must be fulfilled by you, O blameless one. You have become a maidservant to Devayānī, O beautiful one.” Śarmiṣṭhā, accepting her fate, replied, “Whatever desire she wishes, I shall do that today; let neither Śukra nor Devayānī be overcome by anger on my account.” Thus, chosen along with a thousand maidens, Śarmiṣṭhā quickly left the splendid palace in a palanquin, as her father commanded. She addressed Devayānī, “With a thousand maidens, I am your slave and attendant; surely I shall go wherever your father gives you. I am the daughter of one who is praised, of one who asks and receives; how can the daughter of one who is honored become a slave? Yet, by whatever means one might bring happiness to suffering kin, I shall follow you wherever your father gives you.” When Śarmiṣṭhā, the daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, agreed to servitude, Devayānī spoke to her father, “I shall enter the city, father; I am satisfied, O best of Brāhmaṇas. Your knowledge is unfailing, and you possess the power of learning.” Thus addressed, the illustrious Śukra entered the city, delighted and honored by all the Dānavas. After some time had passed, Devayānī, radiant among women, ventured out to the forest for play. With her thousand maidservants and Śarmiṣṭhā, she arrived at the same place and wandered as she pleased. Together with her joyful companions, they delighted in play, drinking the sweet honey of spring, eating various foods and fruits. Meanwhile, King Yayāti, seeking game, happened to arrive there. Thirsty and desiring water, he saw Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the other women, all adorned with divine ornaments, drinking and enjoying themselves. Devayānī, with her pure smile, sat among them, unmatched in beauty, served by Śarmiṣṭhā with foot massages and other attentions. Surrounded by two thousand maidens and two young women, Yayāti inquired, “I ask you their lineage and names.” Devayānī replied, “I will tell you; accept my words, O king. Know me as the daughter of Śukra, the preceptor of the Asuras. And this friend of mine is a maid; wherever I go, she goes. Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, lord of the Dānavas.” Yayāti, puzzled, asked, “But how is your friend a maid, this noble young woman, daughter of the lord of the Asuras? I am greatly curious.” Devayānī answered, “Everything, O tiger among men, proceeds according to destiny; knowing it is ordained by fate, do not let your mind be perplexed.” She then questioned Yayāti, “You appear in royal form and dress, yet you speak with a Brāhmin’s voice. Tell me your name, your origin, and whose son you are.” Yayāti replied, “By celibacy I have mastered the entire Veda. I am a king and prince, renowned as Yayāti.” Devayānī asked, “For what purpose, O king, have you come to this place? Is it to take water, or perhaps seeking game?” Yayāti explained, “Desiring game, O gentle one, I have come here for water. Though you question me in many ways, you should grant me leave.” Devayānī, surrounded by her maidens and Śarmiṣṭhā, declared, “With two thousand maidens and the maid Śarmiṣṭhā, I am under your authority. Blessings to you, friend—be my husband.” Yayāti hesitated, saying, “Know, O auspicious one, that I am not worthy, O beautiful lady; kings are not to be married, Devayānī, by your father.” Devayānī responded, “The kshatriya and the brahmin orders are joined together by Brahma; kshatriya is established in brahmin, and brahmin in kshatriya; O son of Nahusha, neither sage nor sage’s son should you choose me. The four classes, O lovely-faced one, are born from one body, each with its own duties and its own purity; among them, the brahmin is the highest.” Yet she insisted, “The taking of the hand by Nahusha’s son was not practiced by men before; you took my hand first, therefore I choose you.” Thus, the fateful union between Devayānī and Yayāti was initiated, guided by destiny and the will of the elders, amidst the blessings and complexities of their noble lineages.