Chapter 83
“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Devayani of sweet smiles heard of the birth ofthis child, she became jealous, and O Bharata, Sarmishtha became anobject of her unpleasant reflections. And Devayani, repairing to her,addressed her thus, ‘O thou of fair eye-brows, what sin is this thou hastcommitted by yielding to the influence of lust?’
Sarmishtha replied, ‘Acertain Rishi of virtuous soul and fully conversant with the Vedas cameto me. Capable of granting boons he was solicited by me to grant mywishes that were based on considerations of virtue. O thou of sweetsmiles, I would not seek the sinful fulfilment of my desires. I tell theetruly that this child of mine is by that Rishi!’ Devayani answered, ‘Itis all right if that be the case, O timid one! But if the lineage, name,and family of that Brahmana be known to thee, I should like to hearthem.’ Sarmishtha replied, ‘O thou of sweet smiles, in asceticism andenergy, that Rishi is resplendent like the Sun himself. Beholding him, Ihad not, any need to make these enquiries–‘ Devayani then said, ‘If thisis true, if indeed, thou hast obtained thy child from such a superiorBrahmana, then, O Sarmishtha, I have no cause of anger.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having thus talked and laughed with each other,they separated, Devayani returning to the palace with the knowledgeimparted to her by Sarmishtha. And, O king, Yayati also begot on Devayanitwo sons called Yadu and Turvasu, who were like Indra and Vishnu. AndSarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, became through the royal sagethe mother of three sons in all, named Drahyu, Anu, and Puru.
“And, O king, it so came to pass that one day Devayani of sweet smiles,accompanied by Yayati, went into a solitary part of the woods, (in theking’s extensive park). And there she saw three children of celestialbeauty playing with perfect trustfulness. And Devayani asked in surprise,’Whose children are they, O king, who are so handsome and so like untothe children of the celestials? In splendour and beauty they are likethee, I should think.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘And Devayani without waiting for a reply fromthe king, asked the children themselves, ‘Ye children, what is yourlineage? Who is your father? Answer me truly. I desire to know all.’Those children then pointed at the king (with their forefingers) andspoke of Sarmishtha as their mother.
“And having so said, the children approached the king to clasp his knees.But the king dared not caress them in the presence of Devayani. The boysthen left the place, and made towards their mother, weeping in grief. Andthe king, at this conduct of the boys, became very much abashed. ButDevayani, marking the affection of the children for the king learnt thesecret and addressing Sarmishtha, said, ‘How hast thou dared to do me aninjury, being, as thou art, dependent on me? Dost thou not fear to haverecourse once more to that Asura custom of thine?’
“Sarmishtha said, ‘O thou of sweet smiles, all that I told thee of aRishi is perfectly true. I have acted rightly and according to theprecepts of virtue, and therefore, do I not fear thee. When thou hadstchosen the king for thy husband, I, too, chose him as mine. O beautifulone, a friend’s husband is, according to usage, one’s own husband aswell. Thou art the daughter of a Brahmana and, therefore, deservest myworship and regard. But dost thou not know that this royal sage is heldby me in greater esteem still?’
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Devayani then, hearing those words of hers,exclaimed, O king, thus, ‘Thou hast wronged me, O monarch! I shall notlive here any longer.’ And saying this, she quickly rose, with tearfuleyes, to go to her father. And the king was grieved to see her thus, andalarmed greatly, followed in her foot-steps, endeavouring to appease herwrath. But Devayani, with eyes red with anger, would not desist. Speakingnot a word to the king, with eyes bathed in tears, she soon reached theside of her father Usanas, the son of Kavi. And beholding her father, shestood before him, after due salutations. And Yayati also, immediatelyafter, saluted and worshipped Bhargava.’
“And Devayani said, ‘O father, virtue hath been vanquished by vice. Thelow have risen, and the high have fallen. I have been offended again bySarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan. Three sons have been begottenupon her by this king Yayati. But, O father, being luckless I have gotonly two sons! O son of Bhrigu, this king is renowned for his knowledgeof the precepts of religion. But, O Kavya, I tell thee that he hathdeviated from the path of rectitude.’
“Sukra, hearing all this, said, ‘O monarch, since thou hast made vice thybeloved pursuit, though fully acquainted with the precepts of religion,invincible decrepitude shall paralyse thee!’ Yayati answered, ‘Adorableone, I was solicited by the daughter of the Danava king to fructify herseason. I did it from a sense of virtue and not from other motives. Thatmale person, who being solicited by a woman in her season doth not granther wishes, is called, O Brahmana, by those conversant with the Vedas, aslayer of the embryo. He who, solicited in secret by a woman full ofdesire and in season, goeth not in unto her, loseth virtue and is calledby the learned a killer of the embryo, O son of Bhrigu, for thesereasons, and anxious to avoid sin, I went into Sarmishtha.’ Sukra thenreplied, ‘Thou art dependent on me. Thou shouldst have awaited mycommand. Having acted falsely in the matter of thy duty, O son ofNahusha, thou hast been guilty of the sin of theft.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Yayati, the son of Nahusha, thus cursed by theangry Usanas, was then divested of his youth and immediately overcome bydecrepitude. And Yayati said, ‘O son of Bhrigu, I have not yet beensatiated with youth or with Devayani. Therefore, O Brahmana, be gracefulunto me so that decrepitude might not touch me.’ Sukra then answered, ‘Inever speak an untruth. Even now, O king, art thou attacked bydecrepitude. But if thou likest, thou art competent to transfer this thydecrepitude to another.’ Yayati said, ‘O Brahmana, let it be commanded bythee that that son of mine who giveth me his youth shall enjoy mykingdom, and shall achieve both virtue and fame.’ Sukra replied, ‘O sonof Nahusha, thinking of me thou mayst transfer this thy decrepitude towhomsoever thou likest. That son who shall give thee his youth shallbecome thy successor to the throne. He shall also have long life, widefame, and numerous progeny!'”
