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

She reached the 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 omaments and they were full of voluptuous languor on account of the honey they drank. Devayani of sweet smiles, was reclining at her same 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, companion, is your maid-servant?

Devayani said : O best of kings, everything comes to pass according to Fate. Do not be astonished at this. V:10w 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?

this your 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 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 of wise one which is touched by you who are a Rishi?

Yayati said : The wise men know that a Brahmana is 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. 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 inarriage 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.