Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/214

200 said to herself.--'My season hath arrived. But I bave not yet chosen a husband. O, what hach happened, what should I do? How am I to obtain the fruition of my wishes ? Devayani hath become mother. My youth is doomed to pass away in vain. Shall I choose him also for my husband whom Devayani hath chosen ? This is, indeed, my resolve: that monarch should give me a son. Will not the virtuous one grant me a private interview ?'

Vaisamyana continued, "While Sarmishtha was thus busy with her thoughts, the king wandering listlessly came to that very woods of Asokas, and beholding Sarmishtha before him, stood there in silence. Then Sarmishtha of sweet smiles seeing the monarch before her with nobody to witness what might pass, approached him and said with joined hands.- son of Na husha, no one can behold the ladies that dwell in the inner apartments of Soma, of Indra, of Vishnu, of Yama, of Varuna, and of thine I Thou knowest, О king, that I am both handsome and well-born. I solicit thee, O king! My season hath arrived I See that it goeth not in vain!'

"Yayati answered, 'Well do I know that honour of birth is thine, born as thou art born in the proud race of the Danavas. Thou art also gifted with beauty. I do not, indeed, see even the speck of a fault in thy feature. But Usanas commanded me, while I was united with Devayani, that never should Vrishaparvan's daughter be summoned to my bed.'”

"Sarmishtha then said, 'It hath been said, O king, that it is not sinful to lie on the occasion of a joke in respect of women sought to be enjoyed, on occasions of marriage, in peril of immediate death and of the loss of one's whole fortune. Lying is excusable on these five occasions. O king, it is not true that he is fallen who speaks not the truth when asked. Both Devayani and myself have been called hither as compavions to serve the same purpose. When, therefore, thou hadst said that you wouldst confine thyself to one only amongst us, that was a lie thou hadst spoken. Yayati replied, 'A king should ever be a model in the eyes of his people. That monarch certainly meets with destruction who speaks an untruth. As for myself, I do not dare speak untruth even if the greatest loss threatens me!' Sarmishtha answered-'0 monarch, one may look upon her friend's husband as her own. One's friend's marriage is the same as one's own. Thou hast been chosen by my friend as her husband. Thou art as much my husband, therefore l' Yayati then said. --'It is, indeed my vow always to grant what one asketh. As thou askest me, tell me then what I am to do l' Sarmishtha then said, -'Absolve me, O king, from sin 1 Protect my virtue : Becoming a mother by thee, let me practise the highest virtue in this world.