Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/280

246 Vaisampayana continued, "And when the great Kavya had been so addressed by Vrishaparva he then went to and told her all., however, quickly replied, 'O Bhargava, if thou art truly the lord of the Asura king himself and of all his wealth, then let the king himself come to me and say so in my presence.' Vrishaparva then approached  and told her, 'O  of sweet smiles, whatever thou desirest I am willing to give thee however difficult it may be to grant the same?  answered, 'I desire Sharmishta with a thousand maids to wait on me. She must also follow me to where my father may bestow me.'

"Vrishaparva then commanded a maid-servant in attendance on him, saying, 'Go and quickly bring Sharmishta hither. Let her also accomplish what wisheth.

Vaisampayana continued, "The maid servant then repairing to Sharmishta told her, 'O amiable Sharmishta, rise and follow me. Accomplish thou the good of thy relatives. Urged by, the Brahmana (Sukra) is on the point of leaving his disciples (the Asuras.) O sinless one, thou must do what wisheth!' Sharmishta replied, 'I shalt cheerfully do what  wisheth!' Urged by  Sukra is calling me. Both Sukra and  must not leave the Asuras through my fault.

Vaisampayana continued, "Commanded by her father then, Sharmishta, accompainedaccompanied [sic] by a thousand maidens, soon came in a palanquin, out of her father's excellent mansion. And approaching said, 'With my thousand maids I am thy waiting-woman. And I shall follow thee where thy father may bestow thee.'  replied, 'I am the daughter of one who chaunteth the praises of thy father, and who beggeth and accepteth alms. Thou, on the other hand art the daughter of one who is adored. How canst thou be my waiting woman?'

"Sharmishta answered, 'One must by all means contribute to the happiness of one's afflicted relatives. Therefore shall I follow thee wherever thy father may bestow thee!

Vaisampayana continued, "When Sharmishtā had thus promised to be waiting-woman, the latter, O