Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/216

202 begot on Devayani two sons called Yadu and Turvasu who were like Indra and Vishnu. And Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrisha parvan, became through the royal sage the mother of three sons in all, named Drahya, Anu, and Puru.

"And, o king, it so came to pass that one day Devayani 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 Devayani asked in suprise,-'Whose children are they. O king, who are so handsome and so like unto the children of the celestials? In splendour and beauty they are like thee, I should think I'

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 kaow all !' Those children then pointed at the king (with their forefingers) and spoke of Sarmishtha as their mother,

"And having so said, -the children approached the king to clasp his knees. But the king dared not caress them in the presence of Devayani. The boys then left the place and made towards their mother, weeping in grief. And the king, at this conduct of the boys, became very much abashed. But Devayani, marking the affection of the children for the king learnt the secret and addressing Sarmishtha, said, 'How hast chou 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 custom of thine ?'

"Sarmishtha 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, and therefore, do I not fear thee! When thou hadst chosen the king for thy husband, I, too, chose him as mine. O beautiful one, a friend's husband is, according to usage, one's own husband as well. 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 I

Vaisampayana said,"Devayani then, hearing those words of bers, exclaimed, o king, thus:-'Thou hast wronged me, O monarch 1 I shall not live here any longer l' 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, followed her foot-steps, endeavouring to appease her wrath. But Devayani, with eyes red with anger, would not desist. Speaking not a word to king, with eyes batbed in tears, she soon reached the side of ber father Usanas, the son of Kavi. And beholding her father, she stood before him after due salutations. And Yayati also, immediately after, saluted and worshipped Bhargava.