Mahabharata – 118

by 

Sankar Mukherjee

&

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                                   Aadivamsavatarana Parva

King Yayati cohabitted with the beautiful princess Sarmistha,daughter of the demon king Vrishaparva.And as time  passed  by  Sarmistha of sweet smiles conceived in consequence of that union of hers with  the king. And that lotus-eyed lady then in due course of time brought forth a son.It was  a celestial child, as it were, with  lotus- eyes.

When Devayani heard of the birth of this child of Sarmishta, she became sad & addressed Sarmistha thus, 'Oh you  fair lady! what sin  have you committed under  the influence of lust?

And  Sarmistha replied, 'A certain rishi of virtuous soul & well versed in the Vedas came to me. And solicited by me he granted my wishes.My wishes were based on considerations of virtue. I would not seek the  fulfilment of my desires in a sinful way.I tell you truly that this child of mine is by that rishi.

Devayani answered--- It is all right if that be the case.But Oh fair lady! If the  rishi is known to you,I would like to know the  lineage, name and family of that rishi.

Sarmishtha replied, Oh Devyani! In asceticism and energy, that rishi is resplendent like the Sun himself. Seeing him, I did not bother, to make these enquiries.

Devayani then said, 'If this is true, if indeed, You have obtained your child from such a superior brahmana,then, Oh Sarmistha!, I have no cause of enmity with you.

Thus they talked to each other & laughed merrily.Then they parted from one another. Devayani returned to her palace thinking that Sarmistha had told the truth.

And Yayati also begot by Devayani two sons called Yadu and Turvasu, who were like Indra and Vishnu.And Sarmistha,the daughter of Vrishaparva, became the mother of three sons in all,named Drauhyu, Anu, and Puru by Yayati.

  And time glided by & one day Devayani of sweet smiles, accompanied by the king Yayati, went into a solitary part of the woods. And there she saw a few children of celestial beauty playing about.

And Devayani asked in surprise --- Whose children are they? Oh king! they  are so handsome & they look like you in prowess & beauty.

And Devayani without waiting for a reply from the king, asked the children 'Oh children!, What is your lineage? Who is your father? Answer me truly. I desire to know all.' Those children then pointed at the king with their forefingers & told that he was their father. They said that   Sarmistha was their mother.

And having  said so, the children approached the king to embrace. But the king dared not to reciprocate in the presence of Devayani.The boys then left the place weeping in grief and went towards Sarmistha.The king then, at this behaviour of the boys, became very much humiliated. But Devayani observing the affection of the children for the king learnt the secret and addressing Sarmistha said -- How  dare you  injure me being dependent on me? Do you not fear me? You have still the nature of the demons.

Sarmistha said, 'Oh Devyani!, all that I told you of a rishi is perfectly true. I have acted rightly according to the commands of virtue, and therefore. I do  not fear you.Oh fair lady! When you had chosen the king as your husband, I too chose him as mine.A friend's husband is,according to usage,one's own husband as well. You are the daughter of a brahmana and therefore you deserve my worship and regard.

 But you do not know that this sage king deserves greater respect still!

'Devayani then, hearing those words of Sarmishta, exclaimed --- Oh king!,thus you have wronged me, I shall not live here any longer from today. And saying this, she quickly rose,with tearful eyes, to go to her father Sukracharya.And the king was troubled greatly to see her thus. Alarmed greatly, he followed her foot-steps & addressed her to soothe her anger.But Devayani, her eyes red with anger,would not stop. Speaking not a word to the king,she soon reached her father Sukracharya.