"Vaishampaayana said, 'The dwellers in heaven (Devas) became exceedingly glad in welcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science (Sanjeevini in Sanskrit; revivification in English). O bull of Bharata's race (Janamejaya), Devas then learnt that science from Kacha and considered their object already achieved. Assembling together, they spoke to him of a hundred yagnas (Lord Indra), saying, 'The time has come for showing our capability. Slay your enemies, O Purandara (Lord Indra)!'
"Thus addressed, Maghavat (Lord Indra), then accompanied by Devas, set out, saying, 'So be it.' But on his way he saw a number of ladies. These ladies were sporting in a lake in the gardens of the Gandharva Chitraratha. Changing Himself (Lord Indra) into wind (Vaayu), He soon mixed up the garments of those ladies which they had laid on the bank. A little while after, the ladies, getting up from the water, approached their clothes that had, indeed, got mixed up with one another. It so happened that from the intermingled heap, the garments of Devayani were taken by Sharmishtaa, the daughter of Vrishaparvaa (Vrishaparvaa is king of Asuras; hence, Sharmishtaa is the princess), from ignorance that it was not hers. O king (Janamejaya), immediately, between them, Devayani and Sharmishtaa, then developed a dispute.
"Devayani said, 'O daughter of the Asura (chief), why do you take my clothes, being, as you are, my disciple? As you are without any good behaviour, nothing good can happen to you!'
"Sharmishtaa, however, quickly replied, 'Your father occupying a lower seat, always adores with downcast looks, like a hired chanter of praises, my father, whether he sits at his ease or reclines at full length! You are the daughter of one that chants the praises of others, of one that accepts alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit). I am the daughter of one who is adored, of one who gives alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit) instead of ever accepting them! As you are beggar-woman, you are free to strike your breast, to use ill words, to vow enmity to me, to give way to your anger. O one who accepts alms, you weep tears of anger in vain! If so minded, I can harm you, but you cannot. You desire to quarrel. But you know that I do not consider you as my equal!'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Hearing these words, Devayani became exceedingly angry and began to pull at her clothes. Sharmishtaa immediately threw her (Devayani) into a well and went home. Indeed, the wicked Sharmishtaa believing that Devayani was dead, bent her steps home-wards in an angry mood.
"After Sharmishtaa had left, Yayaati - the son of Nahusha soon came to that spot. The king had been out on hunting. The couple of horses harnessed to his chariot and the other single horse with him were all tired. The king (Yayaati) himself was thirsty. The son of Nahusha saw a well that was by. He saw that it was dry. But in looking down into it, he saw a lady (Devayani) who in splendour was like a blazing fire.
"Looking her within it, the blessed king (Yayaati) addressed that girl of the complexion of Devas, soothing her with sweet words. He said, 'Who are you, O fair one, of nails bright as burnished copper (i.e. with reddish nails), and with ear-rings decked with divine gems? You seem to be greatly disturbed. Why do you weep in pain? How, indeed, have you fallen into this well covered with creepers and long grass? O slender-waisted girl, answer me truly whose daughter are you?
"Devayani then replied, 'I am the daughter of (Asura Guru) Shukra who brings back into life the Asuras slain by Devas. He does not know what has happened me. This is my right hand, O king, with nails bright as burnished copper. You are well-born; I ask you, to take and raise me up! I know you are of good behaviour, of great capability, and of wide fame! It is your duty, therefore, to raise me from this well.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'King Yayaati, learning that she was a Brahmana's daughter, raised her from that well by catching hold of her right hand. The monarch promptly raising her from the pit and with eyes partially closed looking to her tapering thighs, sweetly and courteously returned to his capital.
"When the son of Nahusha had gone away, Devayani of faultless features, pained with grief, then spoke to her maid, Ghurnikaa by name, who met her then. She said, 'O Ghurnikaa, you go quickly and speak to my father without loss of time of everything as it has happened. I shall not now enter the city of Vrishaparvaa.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Ghurnikaa, thus commanded, went quickly to the mansion, of the Asura chief (Vrishaparvaa), where she saw Kavya (Asura Guru Shukra) and spoke to him with her perception dimmed by anger. She said, 'O great Brahmana (Shukra), O fortunate one, I tell you that Devayani has been ill-used in the forest by Sharmishtaa, the daughter of Vrishaparvaa.'
"Kavya (Shukra), hearing that his daughter had been ill-used by Sharmishtaa speedily went out with a heavy heart, seeking her in the forest. When he found her in the forest, he hugged her with affection and spoke to her with voice choked with grief, 'O daughter, the well-being or sorrow that happens to people is always due to their own faults. You have therefore some fault, I think, which has been paid of thus.'
"Hearing this Devayani replied, 'Be it a penalty or not, listen to me with attention. O, hear that all Sharmishtaa, the daughter of Vrishaparvaa, has said to me. Really has she said that you are only the hired chanter of the praises of the Asura king (Vrishaparvaa)! Thus has she--that Sharmishtaa, Vrishaparvaa's daughter,--spoken to me, with reddened eyes, these piercing and cruel words, 'You are the daughter of one that ever chants for hire the praises of others, of one that asks for charities, of one that accepts alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit); whereas I (Sharmishtaa) am the daughter of one that receives adorations, of one that gives, of one that never accepts anything as gift!' These have been the words repeatedly spoken to me by the proud Sharmishtaa, the daughter of Vrishaparvaa, with eyes red with anger. If, O father, I am really the daughter of a hired chanter of praises, of one that accepts gifts, I must offer my adorations in the hope of obtaining her grace! Oh, of this I have already told her!'
"Shukra replied, 'You are, O Devayani, no daughter of a hired adorer, of one that asks for alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit) and accepts gifts. You are the daughter of one that adores none, but of one that is adored by all! Vrishaparvaa himself knows it, and (Lord) Indra, and king Yayati too. That inconceivable (Lord) Brahma, that unopposable God, is my strength! The self-create (Swayambu in Sanskrit; here Lord Brahma is referred as Swayambu), Himself, pleased by me, has said that I am for yes the lord of that which is in all things on Earth or in Heaven! I tell you truly that it is I (Shukra) who pour rain for the good of creatures and who nourish the annual plants that sustain all living things!'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'It was by such sweet words of excellent meaning that the father (Shukra) attempted to pacify his daughter (Devayani) pained with sorrow and oppressed by anger.'"
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