Section LXXVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad in welcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull of Bharata’s race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha and considered their object already achieved. And assembling together, they spoke unto him of a hundred sacrifices, saying,

'The time has come for showing prowess. Slay your foes, O Purandara!'

And thus addressed, Maghavat, then accompanied by the celestials, set out, saying, ’so be it.' But on his way he saw a number of damsels. These maidens were sporting in a lake in the gardens of the Gandharva Citraratha. Changing himself into wind, he soon mixed up the garments of those maidens which they had laid on the bank.

A little while after, the maidens, getting up from the water, approached their garments that had, indeed, got mixed up with one another. And it so happened that from the intermingled heap, the garments of Devayani were appropriated by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, 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 you take my attire, being, as you are, my disciple? As you are destitute of good behaviour, nothing good can happen to you!'

Sarmishtha, however, quickly replied,

'Your father occupying a lower seat, always adores with downcast looks, like a hired chanter of praises, my father, whether he sits at his ease or reclines at full length!

You are the daughter of one that chants the praises of others, of one that accepts alms.

I am the daughter of one who is adored, of one who bestows alms instead of ever accepting them!

Beggar-woman as you are, you are free to strike your breast, to use ill words, to vow enmity to me, to give way to your wrath. Acceptress of alms, you weepest tears of anger in vain!

If so minded, I can harm you, but you canst not. You desirest to quarrel. But know you that I do not reckon you as my equal!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, Devayani became exceedingly angry and began to pull at her clothes. Sarmishtha thereupon threw her into a well and went home. Indeed, the wicked Sarmishtha believing that Devayani was dead, bent her steps home-wards in a wrathful mood.

"After Sarmishtha had left, Yayati the son of Nahusha soon came to that spot. The king had been out a-hunting. The couple of horses harnessed to his car and the other single horse with him were all fatigued. And the king 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 maiden who 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 you, O fair one, of nails bright as burnished copper, and with ear-rings decked with celestial gems?
You seemest to be greatly perturbed.
Why dost you weep in affliction?
How, indeed, hast you fallen into this well covered with creepers and long grass?
And, O slender-waisted girl, answer me truly whose daughter you are.'

"Devayani then replied,

'I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back into life the Asuras slain by the gods. He does not know what has befallen me. This is my right hand, O king, with nails bright as burnished copper.

You are well-born; I ask you, to take and raise me up! I know you are of good behaviour, of great prowess, and of wide fame! It behoves you, therefore, to raise me from this well.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'King Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana’s daughter, raised her from that well by catching hold of her right hand. And the monarch promptly raising her from the pit and squinting to her tapering 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 met her then. And she said,

'O Ghurnika, go you quickly and speak to my father without loss of time of everything as it has happened. I shall not now enter the city of Vrishaparvan.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Ghurnika, thus commanded, repaired quickly to the mansion, of the Asura chief, where she saw Kavya and spoke unto him with her perception dimmed by anger. And she said,

'I tell you, O great Brahmana, that Devayani has been ill-used, O fortunate one, in the forest by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan.'

And Kavya, hearing that his daughter had been ill-used by Sarmishtha speedily went out with a heavy heart, seeking her in the woods. And when he found her in the woods, he clasped her with affection and spoke unto her with voice choked with grief,

'O daughter, the weal or woe that befalls people is always due to their own faults. You have therefore some fault, I ween, which has been expiated thus.'

Hearing this Devayani replied,

'Be it a penalty or not, listen to me with attention.

O, hear that all Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, has said unto me. Really has she said that you are only the hired chanter of the praises of the Asura king! Even thus has she—that Sarmishtha, Vrishaparvan’s daughter,—spoken to me, with reddened eyes, these piercing and cruel words,

'You are the daughter of one that ever chants for hire the praises of others, of one that asks for charities, of one that accepts alms; whereas I am the daughter of one that receives adorations, of one that gives, of one that never accepts anything as gift!'

These have been the words repeatedly spoken unto me by the proud Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, with eyes red with anger.

If, O father, I am really the daughter of a hired chanter of praises, of one that accepts gifts, I must offer my adorations in the hope of obtaining her grace! Oh, of this I have already told her!'

"Sukra replied,

'You are, O Devayani, no daughter of a hired adorer, of one that asks for alms and accepts gifts.
You are the daughter of one that adores none, but of one that is adored by all!
Vrishaparvan himself knows it, and Indra, and king Yayati too.
That inconceivable Brahma, that unopposable Godhead, is my strength!

The self-create, himself, gratified by me, has said that I am for aye the lord of that which is in all things on Earth or in Heaven!

I tell you truly that it is I who pour rain for the good of creatures and who nourish the annual plants that sustain all living things!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'It was by such sweet words of excellent import that the father endeavoured to pacify his daughter afflicted with woe and oppressed by anger.'"