Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/211

Rh now enter the Asura capital ! I now know that thy science and power of knowledge are not futile !'

Vaisa mpayana continued, -"That best of Brahmanas, of great reputation, thus addressed by his daughter, the entered the Asura capital in the gladness of beart. And the Danavas worshipped him with great reverence."

Thus ends the eightieth section in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisam payana said, "After some length of time, O best of monarchs, Devayani of the fairest complexion went into the same woods for purposes of pleasure. And accompanied by Sarmishtha with her thousand maids she reached the same spot and began to wander in freedom. And waited upon by all those companions she felt herself supremely happy. And sporting with light hearts, they began drinking the honey in flowers, eating various kinds of fruit and biting some. And just at that time, king Yayati, the son of Nahusha, again came there tired and thirsty, in course of wanderings, in search of deer. And the king saw Devayani and Sarmishta, and those other maidens also, all decked with celestial ornaments and full of voluptous langour in consequence of the flower-honey they drank. And Devayani of sweet smiles, unrivalled for beauty and possessed of the fairest complexion amongst them all, was reclining at her ease. And she was waited upon by Sarmishta who was gently kneading her feet.

"And Yayati seeing all this, said,-'0 amiable ones, I would ask you both your names and parentage! It seems that these two thousand maids wait on you two ! 'Hearing the monarch, Devayani then answered

-'Listen to me, O best of men. Know that I am the daughter of Sukra, the spiritual guide of the Asuras ! This my companion is my waitingmaid. She attendeth on me wherever I go. She is Sarmishta, the daughter of the Asura king Vrisha parvan!" 090

"Yayati then asked, 'I am curious to know why this thy companion of fair eye-brows-this maiden of the fairest complexion-the daughter of the Asura chief-thy waiting-maid !' -Devayani replied-'O best of kings, everything resulteth from Fate. Knowing this also to be the result of Fate, wonder not at it. Thy feature and attire are both like a king's. Thy speech also is fair and correct as that of the Vedas. Tell me tby name, whence thou art and whose son also !'