The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section LXXVIII
Section LXXVIII.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana said, "The dwellers of heaven became exceedingly glad to welcome Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O thou bull of the Bharata race the celestials then leart that science from Kacha and considered their object as already achieved. And then assembling together they spoke unto him of an hundred sacrifices, saying, 'The time hath come for showing they prowess. Slay thy foes, O Purandara!' And thus addressed, Maghava, 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 Chittra-ratha. And changing himself into wind he soon mixed up the garments of those maidens which they had kept on the bank. A little while after, the maidens getting up from the water approached their garments that had, indeed, been mingled with each other. And it so happened that from the intermingled heap the attire of Deva-yani was appropriated by Sharmishta the daughter of Vrishaparva, from ignorance that it was not hers. And, O king, upon this, between them, Deva-yani and Sharmishta, then occurred a dispute. And Deva-yani said, 'O daughter of the Asura (chief), why dost thou take my attire, being, as thou art, my disciple? Destitute of good behaviour, nothing good can happen to thee!' Sharmishta, however, quickly replied, 'Thy father occupying a lower seat always adoreth, with downcast look like a hired chaunter of praises, my father whether when he sitteth at his ease or reclineth at full length. Thou art the daughter of one that beggeth, one that chaunteth the praises of others, of one that accepteth alms. I am the daughter of one who is adored, one who bestowed alms instead of ever accepting them. Begger 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. Thou art perfectly harmless, whereas, if so minded, I can harm thee. Thou desirest to quarrel. But know thou that I do not reckon thee as my equal.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words Deva-yani because exceedingly angry and began to pull at her clothes. Sharmishta thereupon threw her into a well, and went home. Indeed, the wicked Sharmishta believing that Deva-yani was dead, bent her steps homewards in a wrathful mood.
"After Sharmishta had left, Yayati the son of Nahusha soon came to that spot. And the king had been out ahunting. And the couple of horses harnessed to hi car and the other single horses with him were all fatigued. And the king himself was thirsty. And the son of Nahusha saw a well that was by. And by saw that it was dry. But in looking within it, he saw a maiden who in splendour was like unto the blazing fire. And beholding her within it, the best of kings 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 anxious. 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!'
"Deva-yani then answered, 'I am the daughter of Sukra who brings back into life the Asuras that are 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-descended; I ask thee, take it and raise me up therefore! I know thou art of good behaviour, of great prowess, and wide fame! I behoveth thee, therefore to raise me from this well!'"
Vaisampayana continued, "King Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana's daughter, then raised her from that well catching hold of her right hand. And the monarch promptly raising her from the put and speaking to her who was of tapering thighs, sweetly and courteously, returned to his capital.
"And when the son of Nahusha had gone away, Deva-yani of faultless features, afflicted with grief, then spoke unto maid, Ghurnika by name, who met her at the time. And she said, 'O Ghurnika hie thou soon and speak to my father without loss of time of everything as it hath happened. I shall not now enter the city of Vrisha-parva.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "And Ghurnika, thus commanded, repaired quickly to the mansion of the Asura chief. And there she saw Kavya and spoke unto him with her perception dimmed by anger. And she said, 'I tell thee, O great Brahmana, that Deva-yani hat been ill-used, O fortunate one, in the forest by Sharmishta the daughter of Vrishaparva!' And Kavya, hearing that his daughter had been ill-used by Sharmishta, speedily wen out with a heavy heart, seeking for 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, Deva-yani replied, 'Be it a penalty or not, listen thou to me with attention! O hear all that Sharmishta, the daughter of Vrishaparva, hath said unto me! Really hath she said that thou art only the hired chaunter of the praises of the Asura king. Even thus hath she—that Sharmishta, Vrishaparva's daughter,—spoken to me, with red eyes, these piercing and cruel words:—"Thou art the daughter of one that ever chaunteth for hire the praises of others; of one that asketh for charity; 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 in gift." These have been the words repeatedly spoken unto me by the proud Sharmishta, the daughter of Vrishaparva, with eyes red in anger. If, O father, I am really the daughter of a hired chaunter of praises, of one that accepteth gifts, I must offer her my adorations in hopes of obtaining her grace. O, of this I have already told her."
"Sukra replied, 'Thou art, O Deva-yani, no daughter of a hired adorer, of one that asketh for alms and accepteth gifts! Thou art the daughter of one that adores none; of one that is adored by all. Vrishaparva himself knoweth it, and Indra, and king Yayati too, that the inconceivable Brahma, the un-opposable God-head, 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 poureth rain for the good of creatures and who nourisheth 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."
And so ends the seventy-eighth Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.