Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/282

248 attendeth on me wherever I go. She is Sharmishta the daughter of the Asura king Vrishaparva.'

"Yayati then asked, 'I am curious to know why is this thy companion of fair eye-brows—this maiden of the fairest complexion—the daughter of the Asura chief—thy waiting-woman? replied, 'O best of kings, everything resulteth from the fates. Knowing this also to be the result of fate, cease to wonder at it. Thy features and attire are both like a king's. Thy speech also is fair and correct as that of the Veda. Tell me thy name, whence thou art, and whose son also!'

"The monarch replied, 'During my vow of Brahmacharya, the whole Vedas entered my ears. I am known as Yayati, a king's son and a king myself.' then enquired, 'O king, what for hast thou come here? Is it to gather lotuses, or to angle or to hunt?' Yayati said, 'O amiable one, thirsty in the pursuit of deer have I come hither in search of water. I am very much fatigued. I wait but your commands to leave this spot.'

" answered, 'With my two thousand damsels and my waiting-woman Sharmishta, I wait but your commands. Prosperity to thee! Be thou my friend and lord!'

"Yayati hearing this replied, 'Beautiful one, I do not deserve thee. Thou art the daughter of Sukra, far my superior. Thy father cannot bestow thee even on great kings. To this : 'Brahmanas have before this been mixed with the Khatrias, and Khatrias with Brahmanas. Thou art the son of a Rishi and a Rishi thyself. Therefore, O son of Nahusha, marry thou me!' Yayati, however, replied, 'O thou of the handsomest features, the four orders have, indeed, sprung from one body. But their duties and purity are not the same. The Brahmana is truly superior to all? answered, 'This hand of mine hath never been touched before by any man save thee! Therefore do I accept thee for my lord. How, indeed, shall any other man touch my hand which hath before been touched by thyself who art a Rishi?' Yayati then said, 'The wise know that a Brahmana is more to be avoided than an angry snake of virulent poison or a