When the proper time arrived, Devayānī, radiant and lovely, conceived for the first time, and a son was born to her. A thousand years later, Śarmiṣṭhā, the lotus-eyed daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, reached her youthful prime and the season for conception. Reflecting on her situation, the virtuous and luminous Śarmiṣṭhā thought, “My season has come, but I have no husband. What has happened? What should I do? How can I find happiness? Devayānī has given birth, but I have reached youth in vain.” Determined, she resolved, “Just as Devayānī chose her husband, so too will I choose mine. The king should grant me the fruit of a son—this is my firm resolve. Perhaps now that righteous one will come to me in private.” At that very time, King Yayāti happened to walk near the Aśoka grove and was astonished to find Śarmiṣṭhā there alone. Seeing the king in solitude, Śarmiṣṭhā approached him with a lovely smile, made reverence with joined palms, and spoke: “O son of Nahusha, who in your house—be it Soma, Indra, Vāyu, Yama, or Varuṇa—has the right to look upon a woman?” She continued, “O king, you have always recognized me for my beauty, lineage, and character. I beseech you, be gracious and unite with me here, O lord of men.” Yayāti replied, “I know you to be a virtuous daughter of the Daityas, blameless in conduct. I do not see even a needle-point’s fault in your beauty. Yet, Śukra once told me, when I married Devayānī: ‘This daughter of Vṛṣaparvan must not be summoned by you to your bed.’” Śarmiṣṭhā responded wisely, “Words spoken in jest do not harm, O king, nor do they among women, nor at the time of marriage, in mortal danger, or when all wealth is lost; these five falsehoods are said to be without sin. When questioned as witnesses, they speak otherwise; their words become false, O King. But when united in purpose, one who speaks falsely injures truth. The king is the authority among beings; he perishes if he speaks untruth. Even when facing hardship for wealth, he should not dare to act falsely.” She explained further, “These two opinions are held, O King: the husband is both a friend and a lord. They say marriage is equality; you are my friend because you are my husband. It is my vow to give to one who asks; you are asking me for pleasure. Tell me, what shall I do for you? Save me from unrighteousness, O King, and establish righteousness. By you, may I bear offspring and practice the highest dharma in the world. There are three who are without wealth, O King: wife, servant, and son. Whatever they acquire belongs to the one to whom they belong; that is his wealth. I am to be enjoyed by you, O Bhārgava, and am under your control. Both Devayānī and I must be maintained by you, O King; accept me.” Thus addressed, the king acknowledged the truth of her words and honored Śarmiṣṭhā, establishing righteousness. He united with her, fulfilling his desire, and after mutually honoring each other, they departed as they had come. From that union, Śarmiṣṭhā, of beautiful brows and daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, conceived for the first time by the great king. In due time, the lotus-eyed queen gave birth to a prince, who shone with brilliance like the sun and seemed as if born from the gods. When Devayānī, pure-smiled, heard that a prince was born, she became distressed and anxious regarding Śarmiṣṭhā. She approached Śarmiṣṭhā and asked, “Why have you, beautiful-browed, acted wrongly out of desire?” Śarmiṣṭhā replied, “A certain sage, righteous and learned in the Vedas, came to me. I requested him for a boon, in accordance with dharma. I do not act out of desire unrighteously, O pure-smiled one. Therefore, my child is from the sage; I speak the truth to you.” Devayānī responded, “Let it be so, Śarmiṣṭhā; I bear no anger. If you have obtained offspring from a superior and elder twice-born, it is well. If it is good and true, O timid one, how can that twice-born be known? I wish to hear his lineage, name, and origin.” Śarmiṣṭhā said, “Radiant with vigor and brilliance like the sun, seeing him, O pure-smiled one, I had no power to question him.” Having spoken thus and laughing together, Bhārgavī, knowing the truth, returned to her own dwelling. King Yayāti then begot two sons on Devayānī: Yadu and Turvasu, who were like another Indra and Viṣṇu. From Yayāti, Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, gave birth to three sons: Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru. Some time later, Devayānī, bright-smiled, together with Yayāti, went to a green forest. There she saw boys of divine appearance, playing freely, and, astonished, she asked, “Whose children are these, O King, who resemble sons of the gods, beautiful in form and radiance, and who look so much like you?” She questioned the boys, “What are your names and lineages? Is your father a brāhmaṇa, children? Tell me the truth as it is; I wish to hear it.” Guided by a local woman, the boys showed her the excellent king. The boys said, “Śarmiṣṭhā is our mother.” Having said this, they approached the king together with him. However, the king did not welcome them in the presence of Devayānī, and, as the boys wept, they went to Śarmiṣṭhā.