The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1 ADI PARVA SECTION LXXVIII (Sambhava Parva continued)

  The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

SECTION LXXVIII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"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 hath come for

showing prowess. Slay thy 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 Chitraratha. 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 thou take

my attire, being, as thou art, my disciple? As thou art destitute of good

behaviour, nothing good can happen to thee!' Sarmishtha, however, quickly

replied, 'Thy father occupying a lower seat, always adoreth with downcast

looks, like a hired chanter of praises, my father, whether he sitteth at

his ease or reclineth at full length! Thou art the daughter of one that

chanteth the praises of others, of one that accepteth alms. I am the

daughter of one who is adored, of one who bestoweth alms instead of ever

accepting them! Beggar-woman as thou art, thou art free to strike thy

breast, 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, I

can harm thee, but thou canst not. Thou desirest to quarrel. But know

thou that I do not reckon thee 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 thou, O fair one, of

nails bright as burnished copper, and with ear-rings decked with

celestial gems? Thou seemest to be greatly perturbed. Why dost thou weep

in affliction? How, indeed, hast thou fallen into this well covered with

creepers and long grass? And, O slender-waisted girl, answer me truly

whose daughter thou art.

"Devayani then replied, 'I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back into

life the Asuras slain by the gods. He doth not know what hath befallen

me. 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 art

of 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'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 thou quickly and speak to my

father without loss of time of everything as it hath 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 thee, O great

Brahmana, that Devayani hath 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 befalleth people is always

due to their own faults. Thou hast therefore some fault, I ween, which

hath 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, hath said unto me. Really hath she said that

thou art only the hired chanter of the praises of the Asura king! Even

thus hath she--that Sarmishtha, Vrishaparvan's daughter,--spoken to me,

with reddened eyes, these piercing and cruel words, 'Thou art the

daughter of one that ever chanteth for hire the praises of others, of one

that asketh for charities, of one that accepteth alms; whereas I am the

daughter of one that receiveth adorations, of one that giveth, of one

that never accepteth 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 accepteth gifts, I

must offer my adorations in the hope of obtaining her grace! Oh, of this

I have already told her!'

"Sukra replied, 'Thou art, O Devayani, no daughter of a hired adorer, of

one that asketh for alms and accepteth gifts. Thou art the daughter of

one that adores none, but of one that is adored by all! Vrishaparvan

himself knoweth it, and Indra, and king Yayati too. That inconceivable

Brahma, that unopposable Godhead, is my strength! The self-create,

himself, gratified by me, hath said that I am for aye the lord of that

which is in all things on Earth or in Heaven! I tell thee 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.'"