Chapter 78

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad inwelcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull ofBharata’s race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha andconsidered their object already achieved.

And assembling together, theyspoke unto him of a hundred sacrifices, saying, ‘The time hath come forshowing prowess. Slay thy foes, O Purandara!’ And thus addressed,Maghavat, then accompanied by the celestials, set out, saying, ‘So beit.’ But on his way he saw a number of damsels. These maidens weresporting in a lake in the gardens of the Gandharva Chitraratha. Changinghimself into wind, he soon mixed up the garments of those maidens whichthey had laid on the bank. A little while after, the maidens, getting upfrom the water, approached their garments that had, indeed, got mixed upwith one another. And it so happened that from the intermingled heap, thegarments of Devayani were appropriated by Sarmishtha, the daughter ofVrishaparvan, from ignorance that it was not hers. And, O king,thereupon, between them, Devayani and Sarmishtha, then ensued a dispute.And Devayani said, ‘O daughter of the Asura (chief), why dost thou takemy attire, being, as thou art, my disciple? As thou art destitute of goodbehaviour, nothing good can happen to thee!’ Sarmishtha, however, quicklyreplied, ‘Thy father occupying a lower seat, always adoreth with downcastlooks, like a hired chanter of praises, my father, whether he sitteth athis ease or reclineth at full length! Thou art the daughter of one thatchanteth the praises of others, of one that accepteth alms. I am thedaughter of one who is adored, of one who bestoweth alms instead of everaccepting them! Beggar-woman as thou art, thou art free to strike thybreast, to use ill words, to vow enmity to me, to give way to thy wrath.Acceptress of alms, thou weepest tears of anger in vain! If so minded, Ican harm thee, but thou canst not. Thou desirest to quarrel. But knowthou that I do not reckon thee as my equal!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Hearing these words, Devayani becameexceedingly angry and began to pull at her clothes. Sarmishtha thereuponthrew her into a well and went home. Indeed, the wicked Sarmishthabelieving that Devayani was dead, bent her steps home-wards in a wrathfulmood.

“After Sarmishtha had left, Yayati the son of Nahusha soon came to thatspot. The king had been out a-hunting. The couple of horses harnessed tohis car and the other single horse with him were all fatigued. And theking himself was thirsty. And the son of Nahusha saw a well that was by.And he saw that it was dry. But in looking down into it, he saw a maidenwho in splendour was like a blazing fire. And beholding her within it,the blessed king addressed that girl of the complexion of the celestials,soothing her with sweet words. And he said, ‘Who art thou, O fair one, ofnails bright as burnished copper, and with ear-rings decked withcelestial gems? Thou seemest to be greatly perturbed. Why dost thou weepin affliction? How, indeed, hast thou fallen into this well covered withcreepers and long grass? And, O slender-waisted girl, answer me trulywhose daughter thou art.

“Devayani then replied, ‘I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back intolife the Asuras slain by the gods. He doth not know what hath befallenme. This is my right hand, O king, with nails bright as burnished copper.Thou art well-born; I ask thee, to take and raise me up! I know thou artof good behaviour, of great prowess, and of wide fame! It behoveth thee,therefore, to raise me from this well.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘King Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana’sdaughter, raised her from that well by catching hold of her right hand.And the monarch promptly raising her from the pit and squinting to hertapering thighs, sweetly and courteously returned to his capital.

“When the son of Nahusha had gone away, Devayani of faultless features,afflicted with grief, then spoke unto her maid, Ghurnika by name, who mether then. And she said, ‘O Ghurnika, go thou quickly and speak to myfather without loss of time of everything as it hath happened. I shallnot now enter the city of Vrishaparvan.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Ghurnika, thus commanded, repaired quickly tothe mansion, of the Asura chief, where she saw Kavya and spoke unto himwith her perception dimmed by anger. And she said, ‘I tell thee, O greatBrahmana, that Devayani hath been ill-used, O fortunate one, in theforest by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan.’ And Kavya, hearingthat his daughter had been ill-used by Sarmishtha speedily went out witha heavy heart, seeking her in the woods. And when he found her in thewoods, he clasped her with affection and spoke unto her with voice chokedwith grief, ‘O daughter, the weal or woe that befalleth people is alwaysdue to their own faults. Thou hast therefore some fault, I ween, whichhath been expiated thus.’ Hearing this Devayani replied, ‘Be it a penaltyor not, listen to me with attention. O, hear that all Sarmishtha, thedaughter of Vrishaparvan, hath said unto me. Really hath she said thatthou art only the hired chanter of the praises of the Asura king! Eventhus hath she–that Sarmishtha, Vrishaparvan’s daughter,–spoken to me,with reddened eyes, these piercing and cruel words, ‘Thou art thedaughter of one that ever chanteth for hire the praises of others, of onethat asketh for charities, of one that accepteth alms; whereas I am thedaughter of one that receiveth adorations, of one that giveth, of onethat never accepteth anything as gift!’ These have been the wordsrepeatedly spoken unto me by the proud Sarmishtha, the daughter ofVrishaparvan, with eyes red with anger. If, O father, I am really thedaughter of a hired chanter of praises, of one that accepteth gifts, Imust offer my adorations in the hope of obtaining her grace! Oh, of thisI have already told her!’

“Sukra replied, ‘Thou art, O Devayani, no daughter of a hired adorer, ofone that asketh for alms and accepteth gifts. Thou art the daughter ofone that adores none, but of one that is adored by all! Vrishaparvanhimself knoweth it, and Indra, and king Yayati too. That inconceivableBrahma, that unopposable Godhead, is my strength! The self-create,himself, gratified by me, hath said that I am for aye the lord of thatwhich is in all things on Earth or in Heaven! I tell thee truly that itis I who pour rain for the good of creatures and who nourish the annualplants that sustain all living things!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘It was by such sweet words of excellent importthat the father endeavoured to pacify his daughter afflicted with woe andoppressed by anger.'”