Srimad Bhagavatam – day 531
Devayāni continued, “Even Guardian-deities of the world extol the learned Vedic Brahmins who are eternally engaged in Yagna.”
To see such learned scholars is almost impossible in this era. We can only admire their photos. Nevertheless, at some rare places such scholars do exist. It is our duty to honour them. Even to this date they strictly abide by their principles. They prefer to live in isolation away from the city.
“Even the Supreme Lord Srihari, who is the Self for this creation, in whose chest Goddess Lakshmi resides and who purifies this entire world, worships learned Vedic scholars. Among such learned scholars we belong to the lineage of Maharishi Bhrigu. Śarmiṣṭha’s father Vṛṣaparva is our disciple. Yet this wicked girl has worn my clothes, just like a person ineligible for Vedas handles them”.
Śarmiṣṭa was deeply hurt by these abusive, harshful words uttered by Devayāṇi. Biting her lower lip in anger, she began to hiss like a snake. She said,
“O Devayani! You beggar. Without any estimation of your position you speak beyond your limits. You are nothing more than the dogs and crows that eagerly await the food we throw at our doorstep”.
Being the daughter of Śukracharya, who was the Guru for the demons, Devayani was in a respectable position. However, for having rebuked her, Śarmiṣṭha abused Devayāni. Furthermore she took away Devayāni’s clothes and in a fit of rage threw her into a well before returning home.
It was God’s will that caused Emperor Yayāti, who was hunting in the deep forests, to arrive at that spot. In order to quench his thirst he neared the well. Here he saw Devayani. Being compassionate by nature, the king gave his upper garment to this girl who was naked. He held her by her hand and pulled her out of the well.
Devayani lovingly addressed the king and said, “O conqueror of enemy cities! O King, you have held my hand. No other man will be willing to accept this hand which has been accepted by you. By this you have accepted me in marriage. Our alliance is a divine one that has been fixed by the Lord and not by humans. This is because due to God’s will alone, I, who had fallen into the well, could meet you.
O King! You possess powerful arms. Kaca, the son of Brihaspati, had previously cursed me that I would never get married to a Brahmin boy. I too cursed him. Therefore O King, kindly accept me as your wife.”
Emperor Yayāti accepted this divine alliance to be destined by the Supreme Lord. Furthermore he felt attracted to Devayāni. He agreed to her request and returned back to his palace.
After his departure, Devayāni wailed loudly and returned home to her father. She narrated how Śarmiṣṭha had abused her and had thrown her into the well. Śukracharya was deeply agitated upon hearing this. He cursed his profession of priest-hood. He considered that picking grains that had fallen in the fields and sustaining on them was far better than this profession of his.
Together with his daughter he left the city. Demon-king Vṛṣaparva heard of Śukracharya’s anger. He assumed that Śukracharya would now join hands with his enemies, the Devatas, and help them. Hence he immediately set out from his palace. He met his Guru while he was passing through the streets. Then and there King Vṛṣaparva offered obeisance to his feet in order to please him.
The venerable Guru Śukracharya had only a momentary anger. His heart melted at this. Pleased, he addressed his disciple Vṛṣaparva and said, “O King, kindly fulfill the demands of my daughter Devayani. I cannot disregard this motherless child”. The king agreed.
Devayani then expressed her feelings, “O King! When my father gives me away in marriage, I seek that Śarmiṣṭhashould, along with all her attendants, follow meas my attendant”.
Vṛṣaparva remained silent. Śarmiṣṭha understood that if Guru Śukracharya left the kingdom it would bring misfortune to her father. She knew that the Guru’s presence was imperative to ensure the stability of the kingdom. Hence along with her thousand attendants, she too became an attendant of Devayani and served her.
Guru Śukracharya gave his daughter Devayani to King Yayāti in marriage. Śarmiṣṭha accompanied Devayāni as one of her attendants. At that moment Śukracharya warned Yayati, “O King, you should never get into a relationship with Śarmiṣṭha”.
Some time elapsed. Devayāni was blessed with a child. Seeing this, Śarmiṣṭha one day approached Yayāti when he was alone and expressed her desire to be blessed with a son.
Yayāti was well versed in the rules of righteousness. He was aware of the warning issued by Guru Śukracharya. Nevertheless he considered that fulfilling Śarmiṣṭha’s desire was destined by God. He therefore spent time with Śarmiṣṭha.
Devayani had two sons Yadu and Turvasu. Śarmiṣṭha had three sons Druhyu, Anu and Pūru.
When Devayāni came to know that her husband was the father of Śarmiṣṭha’s sons she was infuriated. Immediately she set forth to her father’s house.
Yayāti, who loved Devayāni dearly, followed her when she left home. In various ways he tried to pacify her. He fell at her feet. Yet all his attempts to pacify her were in vain.
When Śukracharya came to know of Yayāti’s mistake, he was enraged. He cursed, “O fool! You are exceedingly desirous of enjoying women. Unhesitatingly you speak untruth. May you be immediately attacked by fearful, repulsive old-age!”
Yayāti said, “O great saint! I still remain dissatisfied in matters pertaining to sensual comforts that I enjoy with your daughter. Please be considerate towards me”.
Śukracharya replied, “O King! If anyone agrees to take your old-age, you can exchange with his youthfulness”.
Narayanāya namah