Mahabharata

Sambhava Parva (V)

History of Yayati

Vaishampayana said:
O best of the Bharata race, the dwellers of heaven were exceedingly glad to get back Kacha who had learnt the knowledge (of Sanjivini). The celestial then learnt the Sanjivini from Kacha and considered their object achieved.

They all assembled together and thus spoke to Indra. "O Indra, the time has come to show your prowess. Kill your enemies."

Having been thus addressed, Indra said "Be it so." He then, accompanied by the celestial set out. He saw many damsels in the forest.

The maidens were sporting in a lake in the wood which was like that of Chitraratha. Changing himself into wind, he (Indra) mixed up their clothes.

The maidens, after rising from the water all together, put on the clothes which each got near her from the mixed up heap. The cloth of Devayani was thus taken up and worn by Sharmishtha, the daughter of king Vrishaparva, not knowing that it belonged to others.

O great king, a dispute, thereupon, arose between Devayani and Sharmishtha.

Devayani said:
O daughter of the Asura, how do you dare take my cloth, being my pupil. Destitute of good conduct, nothing good can come to you.

Sharmishtha said:
Whether my father is sitting or lying your father, occupying a lower seat and casting his eyes downwards, adores him like a Vandi (a chanter of praises.)

You are the daughter of a man who begs and I am the daughter of one who bestows alms. your father chants praises of others and my father's praises are chanted. Your father lives on alms, my father bestows them. O beggar's girl, you are free to strike your breast, to use harsh words, to vow enmity to me and to give way to your wrath. O beggarly woman, you weep in vain. You cannot harm me, though I can harm you. You desire to quarrel with me, but I do not at all consider you as my equal.

Vaishampayana said:
Having heard this, Devayani became very angry and she began to tear her cloth. But Sharmishtha, throwing her into a well, went away to her home. The wicked Sharmishtha thought her to be dead and went home in a wrathful mood.

When she went away, the son of Nahusha, Yayati came to that place; he was after deer.

The pair of horses in his car were fatigued and he himself was thirsty. That son of Nahusha (Yayati) saw a well in which there was no water.

There (in that well) the king saw a maiden as effulgent as fire. Seeing her within the well, the illustrious king addressed that girl who was as beautiful as a celestial maiden.

That best of kings, pacifying her with swest words said, O fair lady, O lady with bright nails, as burnished copper and with earrings of celestial gems, who are you?

Why are you in such anxiety? Why are you weeping in distress? How have you fallen into this well covered with long grass and creepers? O beauty of slender-waist, tell me truly, whose daughter are you?

Devayani said:
I am the daughter of Shukra who revives the Asuras, killed by the celestial. He knows not what has befallen me.

O king, this is my right hand with nails as bright as the burnished copper. You are nobly born, I ask you, take my hand and raise me up. I know, you are very gentle, very powerful and greatly famous. You should raise me up from this well.

Vaishampayana said:
The son of Nahusha, king (Yayati) having learnt that she was the daughter of a Brahmana, took hold of her right hand and raised her up from that well. The king, after speedily raising her from the well and speaking sweet and courteous words to that beauty of tapering thighs, went away to his own capital. After the departure of the son of Nahusha (Yayati), the faultless featured Devayani (Yayati), the faultless featured Devayani spoke in sorrow to Ghurnika who came there.

Devayani said:
O Ghurnika, go speedily to my father and tell him as soon as possible all that had happened. I shall not enter the city of Vrishaparva.

Vaishampayana said :
Ghurnika speedily went to the palace of the Asura (chief). Finding the son of Kavi (Shukra), she spoke to his thus, her perception having been dimmed by anger. "O great Brahmana, O illustrious man, I tell you, Devayani had been ill-used by Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva. Having heard that his daughter had been ill-used by Sharmishtha, he soon went to search for her with a heavy heart. And when he found her in the forest, the son of Kavi embraced her with affection and spoke to her with his voice choked with grief. "The weal and woe that befall on people is always due to their own faults. You had some fault, I am sure, which has been thus expiated."

Devayani said:
Be it punishment of my fault or not (O father), hear all that the daughter of Vrishaparva, Sharmishtha, had said to me. She has said, (I say) truly, that you are a Vandi (hired chanter) of the Asura king. Even thus did Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva, speak. These cruel and piercing words, with her eyes red (with anger). (She said), "You are the daughter of one who always chants the praise of others for hire and who always asks for charity.

And who accepts alms, whereas I am the daughter of one who is the adored of all, who gives alms and never receives and gift from any body." Thus again and again spoke to me Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva, full of pride, her eyes red in anger.

O father, if I am really the daughter of a hired chaunter of others' praises and of one who accepts alms, I must adore her in the hope of getting her favour. I have already told this to her.

Shukra said:
O Devayani, you are not the daughter of a hired chaunter of praises, nor that of one who asks for alms and receives them. You are the daughter of one who is adored by all and who adores none.

Vrishaparva and Indra and king Yayati, (all) know my strength to be inconceivable like Brahma and unapproachable God.

The Self created (Brahma) himself, being pleased with me said that I was the lord of that which was in all things on earth or in heaven.

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

Vaishampayana said:
It was thus with such sweet and sensible words, the father tried to pacify his angry and sorrowful daughter.

Shukra said:
O Devayani, know that the man who does not regard the evil words of others, conquers every thing. The wise men call him a true charioteer who holds tightly the reins of his horses. He is a true man who subdues his rising anger.

O Devayani, know that he who subdues the rising anger by his feeling of non-anger, conquers everything on earth.

He who subdues his rising anger by forgiveness like the casting off the slough of a snake is called a true man.

He who subdues his anger, he who does not regard the bad words of others, he who is not angry even when there is a cause, certainly acquires the four objects for which we live (namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.)

Between the two men, one performing sacrifices continually every month for one hundred years and one who does not feel any anger, the man who does not feel any anger is the greater man.

Boys and girls, who are incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong, quarrel among one another. The wise never imitate them.

Devayani said:
O father, I know, though I am a girl, what are duties and virtues. I also know the difference between anger and forgiveness and the power of each.

But when a pupil behaves disrespectfully towards his tutor, he should never be forgiven by the preceptor, if he wants to benefit him. Therefore, I do not desire to live in a country where the people are so bad.

The wise man who desire the good of all, should not live among men who are sinfully inclined and she always speak ill of men of high birth and good behaviour.

It is said to be the best place to live where high birth and good conduct are known and respected and where men know our birth and behaviour.

The cruel words of the daughter of Vrishaparva burn my heart, as men, desirous of kindling a fire, burn the dry woods.

I think nothing is more painful in the three worlds than to adore one's enemies, who are blessed with good fortune, whereas he possesses none. The learned men have said that death would be preferable to such a man.

Vaishampayana said:
The best of the Bhrigu race, the son of Kavi (Shukra) himself became angry. Coming to the place where Vrishaparva was seated he fearlessly addressed him thus -

"O king, the sinful acts like the earth immediately do not bear fruit. But they do gradually and secretly cut away the roots of their doer.

Such fruits, are seen, either in one's ownself, or in one's son, or in one's grandson. Sin must bear fruits, like rich food they cannot be digested.

As you killed the grandson of Rishi Angirasa, the Brahmana Kacha, who was virtuous, learned in religious precepts and attentive to duties, when he lived with me.

As you have mal-treated my daughter who did not deserve it, O Vrishaparva, know, I shall leave you and all your race. O king, for this reason I can no longer stay with you.

Do not think, O Danava, that I am raving or I am a liar. You think very little of your faults and do not try to correct them.

Vrishaparva said:
O son of Bhrigu, never I attributed to you falsehood or impiety. Virtue and truth ever dwell in you. Be gracious to me. O son of Bhrigu, if you really leave me and go away (from this place), we shall have then to go into the deep bottom of the ocean. There is no other alternative for us.

Shukra said:
O Asura, I care very little whether you go into the bottom of the sea, of fly away to all directions, I am incapable of bearing my daughter's grief.

My life depends on her. Seek, O Asuras, to please her. As Brihaspati always seeks the good of Indra, so I seek your good with my ascetic powers.

Vrishaparva said:
O son of Bhrigu, you are the absolute master of everything that belongs to the Asura chief in this world these elephants, kine and horses, nay even myself.

Shukra said:
O great Asura, if it is (really) true that I am the lord over all the wealth of the Asuras, then go and try to please Devayani.

Vaishampayana said:
When the great son of Kavi (Shukra) was thus addressed by Vrishaparva, he went to Devayani and the son of Bhrigu told her all.

Devayani said:
O son of Bhrigu, O father, if you are really the lord over the Asura king and all his wealth, then let the king come personally to me and speak it in my presence.

Vrishaparva said:
O Devayani, O lady of sweet smiles, whatever you desire to possess, however difficult it may be to get, I am willing to give you.

Devayani said:
I desire to have Sharmishtha as my maidservant one thousand other damsels. She must also follow me to the house of him on whom my father will bestow me.

Vrishaparva said:
O nurse, go and bring quickly Sharmishtha here. Let her also act according to the desire of Devayani.

Vaishampayana said:
The nurse then went to Sharmishtha and told her, "O amiable Sharmishtha, rise and follow me.

Accomplish the good of your race. Urged by Devayani, the Brahmana (Shukra) is about to leave his disciples (the Asuras). O sinless lady, you must do as Devayani desires."

Sharmishtha said:
I shall cheerfully do as Devayani desires. Both Shukra and Devayani, must not leave the Asuras through any fault of mine.

Vaishampayana said:
Having been commanded by her father, Sharmishtha with one thousand maidens came out of her father's excellent palace.

Sharmishtha said:
I am your maid-servant, with my one thousand maids. I shall follow you where your father will bestow you.

Devayani said:
I am the daughter of one who is a hired chanter of praise, who asks for alms and accepts them, whereas you are the daughter of one who is adored. Why should you become my maid-servant?

Sharmishtha said:
One must try to do good to one's affected relatives. Therefore, I shall follow you where your father will bestow you.

Vaishampayana said:
O best of kings, when Sharmishtha thus promised to be the maid- servant of Devayani, she then thus spoke to her father.

Devayani said:
O best of Brahmanas, O father,- I am satisfied. I shall now enter the Asura capital. I know your science and power of knowledge is not futile.

Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed by his daughter, that best of Brahmanas, that illustrious man entered the capital with all happiness, sand he was worshipped by all the Danavas.

O best of kings, after a long time the beautiful Devayani went to the same wood to sport.

She reached the same spot with Sharmishtha and her one thousand maids. She wandered about at pleasure. She felt herself very happy, being waited upon by these companions. They all sported there, they drank the honey of the flowers. They ate various fruits, (they threw away many) after biting. The king (Yayati), the son of Nahusha, in the course of his wanderings for hunting again. Came there, tired and thirsty. He saw Devayani and Sharmishtha and all those maidens.

They were all decked with beautiful ornaments and they were full of voluptuous languor on account of the honey they drank. Devayani of sweet smiles, was reclining at her case.

She was matchless in beauty and the most handsome of all the damsels. She was waited upon by Sharmishtha who was gently pressing her feet.

Yayati said:
O amiable ladies, it seems that these one thousands maids wait on you two. I would ask you (to tell me) both your names and parentage.

Devayani said:
O king, hear my words. Know that I am the daughter of Shukra, the preceptor of the Asuras.

This my companion is my maid, she will go wherever I shall go. She is Sharmishtha, the daughter of the Asura king, Vrishaparva.

Yayati said:
I am curious to know why this lady of fair eye-brows, this most beautiful damsel, this daughter of the Asura king, this your companion, is your maid-servant?

Devayani said:
O best of kings, everything comes to pass according to Fate. Do not be astonished at this. Know it to be also the result of Fate.

Your features and attire are both like a king. Your speech is also like the words of the Vedas. Tell me your name. Whence have you come? Whose son are you?

Yayati said:
In my Brahmacharya, the whole of the Vedas entered my ears. I am a king and a son of a king; I am known as Yayati.

Devayani said:
O king, why have you come here? Is it to gather lotuses, or to angle, or to hunt.

Yayati said:
O amiable lady, I was thirsty in the pursuit of deer. I have come here in search of water. I wait but your commands to leave this place.

Devayani said:
Prosperity to you? Be my friend and husband. I wait for your commands with my two thousand damsels and Sharmishtha, my maid- servant.

Yayati said:
O beautiful lady, I do not deserve you. You are the daughter of Shukra, (therefore) you are far superior to me. O Devayani, your father cannot bestow you on even great king.

Devayani said:
Brahmanas have already been mixed with Kshatriyas and Kshatriyas and Kshatriyas with
Brahmanas. You are a son of a Rishi and a yourself a Rishi. Therefore, O son of Nahusha, marry me.

Yayati said:
O beautiful lady, the four orders have no doubt sprung from one body. But they have different duties and virtues, which are not the same (for every order.) The Brahmanas are superior to all.

Devayani said:
This hand of mine was never touched by any man except you. Therefore, I accept you as my husband.

How will any other man touch my hand which is touched by you who are a Rishi?

Yayati said:
The wise men know that a Brahmana is more to be avoided than an angry and virulently poisonous snake, or a blazing and flaming fire.

Devayani said:
O best of men, why do you say that a Brahmana is to be avoided like an angry and virulently poisonous snake, or a blazing and flaming fire?

Yayati said:
The snake kills only one. The sharpest weapon kills but a single person. But the Brahmana, if angry, destroys many cities and kingdoms. Therefore, O beautiful lady, I think that Brahmanas should be avoided more than the two, (the snake and the fire) O amiable lady, I cannot marry you, unless your father bestows you on me.

Devayani said:
You are chosen by me. O king it is then settled that you will accept me if my father bestows you on me. You need not fear in accept my humble self, if bestowed on you. You have not asked for me.

Vaishampayana said:
Devayani quickly sent a maid-servant to her father. The maid told Shukra all that had happened.

Having heard this, the son of Bhrigu went to see the king. The king of the world Yayati, seeing that Shukra was coming, bowed to him. He worshipped and adored that Brahmana and stood before him with joined hands to receive his commands.

Devayani said:
O father, this is the son of Nahusha. He took hold of my hand when I was in difficulty (thrown into the well), Bestow me on him. I shall not marry any other man in the world.

Shukra said:
O splendidly courageous king, you have been accepted by my dear daughter as her husband. I bestow her on you. Therefore, O son of Nahusha, accept her as your wife.

Yayati said:
O Brahmana, I solicit the boon by which the sin of my begetting a mixed caste may not touch me.

Shukra said:
I shall absolve you from the sin (of begetting a mixed caste). Fear not to marry her. I grant you absolution.

Maintain virtuously your wife, Devayani of beautiful slender waist. Let great happiness be yours in her company.

O king, this maiden, Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva, should always be respected by you. But you must no call her to your bed.

Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed by Shukra, the king walked round the Brahmana. The king then performed the auspicious ceremony of marriage according to the rites of the ordinance.

Having received from Shukra a rich treasure in Devayani with Sharmishtha and two thousand maidens. That best of kings, being duly honoured by Shukra and the Asuras, returned to his capital, after receiving the commands of the illustrious of Bhrigu.

Mahabharata

Sambhava Parva (V)

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