Mahabharata – 108

by 

Sankar Mukherjee

&

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                                   Aadivamsavatarana Parva

After Sarmishtha had left, king Yayati soon came to that place.The king had been out a-hunting. His horse was  fatigued & the king himself was thirsty. He was looking for water. And he saw the well & that  was dry. But in looking down into it, he saw a beautiful lady who in her majesty was like a blazing fire. And seeing her within it, he addressed that divine looking lady, consoling her with sweet words.

And he said,'Who are you? Oh fair one! Your nails are as bright as copper, & ear-rings are  decked with gems.You seem to be greatly disturbed.Why do you weep & grieve? How,have you fallen into this well, covered with creepers and long grass? And, Oh fair lady! Answer me truly whose daughter you are?.

Devayani then replied,'I am the daughter of Sukracharya who brings back into life the Asuras killed by the gods by his knowledge of Sanjivani.He does not know what has happened to me.This is my crimson right hand.You seem  to be royal & noble I request you to raise me up! I assume that you are of good behaviour & prowess & of wide fame! It will be fitting for you, therefore, to raise me from this well.'

Yayati, learning that she was a Brahmana's daughter,raised her from that well by holding  her right hand.And the king Yayati while raising her from the well  had a glance of her beautiful thighs. With her approval Yayati mounted on the horse that had been  champing  the forest grass.Yayati returned to his capital.