The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section LXXXIII
Section LXXXIII.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana said, "When Deva-yani of sweet smiles heard of the birth of this child, she became jealous, and, O Bharata, Sharmishta became an object of her unpleasant reflections. And Deva-yani repairing to her addressed her thus:—'O thou of fair eye-brows what sin is this thou hast committed by yeilding to the influence of lust?' Sharmishta replied, 'A certain Rishi of virtuous soul and fully conversant with the Vedas came to me. Capable of granting boons, he was solicited by me to grant my wishes that were based on considerations of virtue. O thou of sweet smiles, I would not seek the sinful fulfilment of my desires. I tell thee truly that this child of mine is by that Rishi. Deva-yani answered, 'It is all right if that is the case, O timid one! But if the lineage, name, and family of that Brahmana be known to thee, I should like to hear them.' Sharmishta replied, 'O thou of sweet smiles, that Rishi, in ascetism and energy is resplendent as the Sun himself. Beholding him, I had not, indeed, the power to make these enquiries!' Deva-yani then said, 'If this is true, if, indeed, thou hast obtained thy child from such a superior Brahmana, then, O Sharmishta, I have no cause of anger.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Having thus talked and laughed with each other, they separated, Deva-yani returning to the palace with the knowledge imparted to her by Sharmishta. And, O king, Yayati also begat in Deva-yani two sons called Yadu and Turvasu who were like Indra and Vishnu. And Sharmishta the daughter of Vrishaparva became mother by the royal sage of three sons in all, named Drahyu, Anu, and Puru.
"And, O king, it so came to pass that one day Deva-yani of sweet smiles accompanied by Yayati went into a solitary part of the woods (in the king's extensive park.) And there she saw three children of celestial beauty playing with perfect trustfulness. And Deva-yani asked in surprise, 'Whose children are these, O king, so handsome, and so like unto the children of the celestials? In splendour and beauty they are like thee I think.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "And Devayani without waiting for a reply from the king, asked the children themselves, 'Ye children, what is your lineage? Who is your father? Answer me truly. I desire to know all.' Those children then pointed to the king with their fore-finger and spoke of Sharmishta as their mother.
"And having said so, the children approached the king to clasp his knees. But the king dared not caress them in the presence of Deva-yani. The boys then left the place weeping in grief and going towards their mother. And the king, at this conduct of the boys became very much abashed. But Deva-yani, marking the affection of the children for the king, learnt the secret and addresing Sharmishta said, 'How hast thou dared to do me an injury, being as thou art dependent on me? Dost thou not fear to have recourse once more to that Asura usage of thine?' "Sharmishta said, 'O thou of sweet smiles, all that I told thee of a Rishi is perfectly true. I have acted rightly and according to the precepts of virtue. Therefore I do not fear thee. When thou hadst chosen the king for thy husband I too chose him for mine. O thou beautiful one, a friend's husband is, according to usage, one's own husband also. Thou art the daughter of a Brahmana and, therefore, deservest my worship and regard. But dost thou not know that this royal sage is held by me in greater esteem still?'"
Vaisampayana said, "Deva-yani then, hearing those words of hers, exclaimed, O king, thus:—'Thou hast wronged me, O monarch! I shall not live here any longer.' And saying this she quickly rose, with tearful eyes, to go to her father. And the king was grieved to see her thus. And alarmed greatly, he followed her footsteps endeavouring to appease her wrath. But Deva-yani with eyes red in anger would not desist. Speaking not a word to the king, with eyes bathed in tears, she soon reached the side of her father Usana the son of Kavi. And beholding her father, she stood before him after due salutation. And Yayati also, immediately after, saluted and worshipped Bhargava.
"And Deva-yani said, 'O father, virtue hath been vanquished by vice. The low have risen, the high have fallen. I have been transgressed by Sharmishta the daughter of Vrishaparva. Three sons have been begotten in her by this king Yayati. But, O father, luckless as I am, I have got only two sons! O son of Bhriga, this king is renowned for his knowledge of the precepts of religion. But, O Kavya, I tell thee that he hath deviated from the path of rectitude.'
"Sukra, hearing all this, said, 'O monarch, since thou hast made vice thy loved pursuit though fully acquainted with the precepts of religion, therefore shall invincible decrepitude paralyse thee.' Yayati answered, 'Adorable one, I was solicited by the daughter of the Danava king to fructify her season. I did it from a sense of virtue and not from other motives. That male person, who being solicited by a woman in season doth not grant her wishes, is called, O Brahmana, by those cognisant of the Veda as a slayer of the embryo. He who, solicited in secret by a woman full of desire and in season, goeth not unto her, loseth virtue and is called by the learned a killer of the embryo. O son of Bhrigu, for these reasons, and anxious to avoid sin, I went unto Sharmishta.' Sukra then replied, "Thou art dependent on me. Thou shouldst have awaited my command. Having acted falsely in the matter of thy duty, O son of Nahusha, thou hast been guilty of the sin of theft.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "And Yayati the son of Nahusha, thus cursed by the angry Usana, was then divested of his youth and immediately overcome by decrepitude. And Yayati said, 'O son of Bhrigu, I have not yet been satiated with youth or with Deva-yani. Therefore, O Brahmana, be graceful unto me so that decrepitude might not touch me.' Sukra then answered, 'I never speak an untruth. Even now, O king, art thou attacked by decrepitude. But if thou likest, thou art competent to transfer this thy decrepitude to another.' Yayati said, 'O Brahmana, let it be commanded by thee that that son of mine who giveth me his youth shall enjoy my kingdom, and shall achieve both virtue and fame.' Sukra replied, 'O son of Nahusha, thinking of me thou mayst transfer this thy decrepitude to whomsoever thou likest. That son who shall give thee his youth shall become thy successor on the throne. He shall also have long life, wide fame, and a large progeny.'"
Thus ends the eighty-third Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.
Section LXXXIV.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana said, "Yayati then, having been overcome with decrepitude, returned to his capital, and summoning his eldest son Yadu who was also the most accomplished, addressed him thus:—'Dear child, from the curse of Kavya called also Usana, decrepitude and wrinkles and whiteness of hair have come over me! But I have not been gratified yet with the enjoyment of youth. Thou, O Yadu, take this my weakness along with my decrepitude. I shall enjoy with thy youth.