With a retinue of a thousand maidservants and accompanied by Śarmiṣṭhā, Devayānī arrived at a beautiful spot and wandered there freely, delighting in the surroundings as she pleased. Together with her joyful companions, she reveled in play, savoring the sweet honey of springtime. They feasted on a variety of foods and many kinds of fruits, their hearts light and spirits high. It was during this time that King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, happened to come to that very place in search of game. Thirsty and seeking water, he arrived and beheld Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the host of women. He saw them adorned with divine ornaments, drinking and enjoying themselves, with Devayānī, radiant with her pure smile, seated among them. Among all those women, Devayānī shone with unmatched beauty—a noble lady, attended by Śarmiṣṭhā herself, who served her with gestures of devotion such as massaging her feet. Surrounded by two thousand maidens and two young women, Yayāti was struck by their grace and asked, "Tell me, who are these women? What are their lineages and names?" Devayānī replied, "Listen, O King, and accept my words. Know me as the daughter of Śukra, the revered preceptor of the Asuras. And this friend of mine is my maid; wherever I go, she follows. She is Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, lord of the Dānavas." Yayāti, curious, asked, "How is it that your friend, this noble young woman, the daughter of the lord of the Asuras, is your maid? I am greatly intrigued." Devayānī answered, "O tiger among men, all things proceed according to destiny. Knowing that fate ordains all, do not let your mind be troubled." Then Devayānī inquired, "You appear in royal form and dress, yet you speak with the voice of a Brāhmin. Tell me your name, your origin, and whose son you are." Yayāti replied, "Through 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 are you seeking game?" Yayāti answered, "Desiring game, gentle one, I came here for water. You have questioned me in many ways; now, please grant me leave." But Devayānī said, "With two thousand maidens and the maid Śarmiṣṭhā, I am under your authority. Blessings to you, friend—be my husband." Yayāti replied, "Know, O auspicious one, that I am not worthy, O beautiful lady; kings are not to be married to you by your father." She continued, "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." Yayāti explained, "The four classes, O lovely-faced one, are born from one body, each with its own duties and purity; among them, the brahmin is the highest." Devayānī persisted, "The taking of the hand by Nahusha’s son was not practiced before; you took my hand first, therefore I choose you." She added, "How could another man touch the hand of one whose mind is steadfast, when it has been taken by a sage’s son, or by a sage himself, or by you?" She warned, "A brahmin, when angered, is more difficult to withstand than a serpent with deadly poison or fire with mouths on every side, especially by a man of understanding." Yayāti asked, "How is a brahmin more difficult to withstand than a serpent with deadly poison or fire with mouths on every side? Tell me, O best of men." Devayānī explained, "A serpent with deadly poison bites only one; a weapon kills only one; but an angered brahmin destroys entire kingdoms, even ancient ones." She concluded, "Therefore, I consider a brahmin more difficult to withstand, O timid one; for this reason, your father did not give you to me, and so I do not marry you." Devayānī pleaded, "Bear me as given by your father; you, O king, have been chosen by me. There is no fear for one who receives a maiden given, nor for the one who accepts her." At Devayānī’s command, her nurse quickly went and reported everything, just as it had happened, to her father Śukra. Hearing this, the Bhargava appeared before the king, and Yayāti, lord of the earth, beheld the great sage. With joined palms, Yayāti bowed respectfully and greeted Śukra, who addressed him with gentle and pleasing words. Devayānī spoke, "This king, O father, son of Nahusha, has taken my hand in a difficult situation. I salute you—give me to him, for I choose no other husband in the world." Śukra said to Yayāti, "You, O hero, have been chosen as husband by this daughter of mine, whom I desire for you. Accept her, given by me, as your queen, O son of Nahusha." Yayāti replied, "If I were to act otherwise, O Bhargava, sin would touch both me and her, O brahmin, due to the mixing of classes; therefore, I choose you." Śukra reassured him, "From unrighteousness I release you; choose whatever boon you desire. In this marriage you are to be praised, and I remove your secret sin. Take Devayānī, pure-smiling, as your wife in righteousness; with her, attain incomparable happiness. And this maiden, Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, must always be honored by you, O King, but do not summon her to your bed." Thus instructed, Yayāti, after respectfully circumambulating Śukra, departed joyfully to his own city, having been permitted by the great-souled sage. Upon returning to his city, which resembled the city of Indra, Yayāti entered his royal chambers and there settled Devayānī as his queen. With Devayānī’s consent, he built a house for Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, near the Aśoka grove and settled her there. Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of the Asura, attended by a thousand maidservants, was provided with fine garments, food, and drink, and was cared for with honor. Thereafter, King Yayāti, son of Nahusha, together with Devayānī, spent many years in joy, their life together as delightful as the gardens of the gods.